Rey Nambatac always believed that TNT was where he would have the best chance to earn his breakthrough PBA championship – and that, indeed, became true.
The lefty guard finally tasted the success he’s been hoping for since entering the league over seven years ago after helping the Tropang Giga defend their Governors’ Cup throne by beating Barangay Ginebra anew on Friday night.
“Yun yung naging motivation ko. Like what I have said many times ‘pag may interview, ito ‘yung pinaka-best shot ko – with TNT – na makatikim ako ng Finals,” he said moments after their 95-85 Game 6 win at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
“And, makapag-champion. Andito na ‘ko. Finally. Masasabi ko na sa sarili ko na isa na ‘kong champion,” added the 30-year-old out of Letran.
Nambatac made his presence felt in the clincher, finishing with 12 points on 2-of-3 shooting from the first arc. His performance helped TNT get back in the game in the fourth quarter after staring at an 11-point deficit late in the third.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson buckled down to work and nailed consecutive buckets before the heady floor general nailed a triple. The two capped off an 11-0 run to send the game to a 74-all deadlock with 10:30 remaining in the final period.
“Nung huling three points ko sa corner, parang nasa isip ko that time, desperado na ‘ko eh,” he recalled.
“Sabi ko, kailangan ko na gumawa ng paraan. Kung mapunta sa akin ‘tong bola, kahit anong mangyari, ite-take ko ‘yan.
“So, ‘yun talaga ‘yung naging mindset ko nun kasi naging desperate na ‘ko manalo sa series na ‘to. Kasi mahihirapan talaga kami ‘pagka umabot pa ng Game 7 … Malaking tulong ‘yun, nakuha namin ‘yung momentum,” he added.
Nambatac, though, would be pulled out by Coach Chot Reyes exactly 20 seconds after making that shot as he incurred his fifth personal foul.
Still, there was no stopping the TNT engine from rolling. They engaged in a tight contest with the Kings before finding the extra gear approaching the home stretch, using a 12-0 run to finish the game and secure the repeat.
The Cagayan de Oro native couldn’t be any happier to have witnessed the composure they all showed in clinching the crown – all while going up against the 14,000-plus pro-Ginebra crowd that packed the Big Dome.
“Sabi namin, ‘Kaya natin to, we’ve been here already, alam na natin kung paano masolusyunan ‘to’,” said Nambatac, who also had six rebounds.
“Good thing, ‘yung adjustments namin nung start ng third quarter, naging effective din,” he furthered. “Nothing new naman, mas naging priority lang ‘yung pagiging composed namin sa loob ng court.”
It was a good series for Nambatac personally, finishing with averages of 10.0 points on 47.6-percent shooting, 4.7 rebounds, and 3.7 assists – commendable numbers, considering that it was just his maiden Finals appearance.
For him, their best-of-7 semifinal series against Rain or Shine, which they finished via a gentleman’s sweep, gave him the confidence to perform.
Yes, it came against his former team, giving Nambatac mixed emotions as he had to help eliminate the same franchise that picked him seventh overall in the 2017 Rookie Draft – and whom he first dreamt of winning a championship with.
“For me, it’s been really tough. Sabi ko nga sa isang interview ko na parang bakit ang bilis naman, former team ko pa ‘yung makakaharap ko sa semifinals. May mga ganun bagay talaga na d’i mo kontrolado eh,” he said.
“Pero masaya ako kasi ‘yung series namin against Rain or Shine, maganda talaga naging contribution ko non. Dun ko nakuha ‘yung confidence ko coming into this Finals,” he added.
“Ganun naman talaga ang basketball.”
