ANTIPOLO – Rey Nambatac is hungry to prove that he can still be that guy now that the seasoned playmaker is starting afresh with new team Blackwater.
The 30-year-old guard has his sights set on doing as much after being traded by Rain or Shine for future draft picks prior to the Season 48 Philippine Cup.
“It’s a big challenge, and at the same time, motivation ko rin ‘yun — to prove something, to prove sa sarili ko and to everyone na I can still make it.”
Nambatac wasted no time showing how motivated he is, putting on a stellar performance to power the Bossing past Meralco, 96-93, in the conference opener on Wednesday evening at the Ynares Center here.
There, he finished with 27 points and 10 assists, helping his side pull off an escape act after seeing their 19-point lead become just one.
Aside from tallying his career-high in dimes, it was also the most points he’s scored since delivering 26 to lead the Elasto Painters in a 110-99 loss to NLEX in the Season 47 Governors’ Cup back in February 25, 2023.
(C) PBA Images
His numbers would go up and down afterwards, eventually finishing the Season 48 Commissioner’s Cup with only 9.1 points as Rain or Shine’s younger guards and wingers began to emerge and take up much of the offensive load.
That’s why it should no longer come as a surprise that Nambatac played the way he did in his Blackwater debut, leading the crew to their first win since a 103-84 victory over Converge in the last Commissioner’s Cup last November 8.
“For me naman, na-experience ko na rin ‘yan noong time ko sa Rain or Shine. Dito sa Blackwater, another experience, another challenge for me,” he said.
“Kailangan ko lang i-polish ulit. But this time, with my new teammates, with my new coach, utilities, hopefully, habang tumatagal, makuha ko rin ‘yun.”
He’s more than willing to embrace, too, a leadership role with the Bossing moving forward, which he opined has been something that the team needs.
“As a vocal leader and player, importante talaga na mayroon magli-lead sa team. I think ‘yun ‘yung isa sa mga kulang dito sa Blackwater, ‘yung mayroong isang vocal leader dito sa team ng Blackwater,” said Nambatac.
