Rey Nambatac will always remain family to Rain or Shine.
None other than head coach Yeng Guiao offered as much after the Elasto Painters went up against their former franchise player in their eventual victory over Blackwater in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup, Saturday.
“Turing pa rin namin, pamilya namin si Rey,” the champion mentor said during the postgame presser of their 110-103 come-from-behind win at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, which stretched their streak to three in the conference.
It was the first time that Rain or Shine and Nambatac met since the seasoned point guard was traded by the ball club to the Bossing in exchange for future draft picks prior to the season-ending tournament.
So, having formed that special bond with the team that selected him seventh overall in the 2017 PBA Rookie Draft, the Letran product, of course, made it a point to greet his former teammates and coaches pre-game.
Only to be greeted back in true Guiao fashion.
“Sabi ko, ‘Bad luck sa’yo,’” said the 65-year-old with a grin.
But being the professionals that they are, all that had to be set aside once they hit the hardwood, and Nambatac appeared to be on his way to getting one on the Elasto Painters when he led his side to a fiery 18-4 start.
Guiao and his wards, though, fought back, with Santi Santillan and Beau Belga showing the way as RoS wiped out a 92-86 fourth-quarter deficit on the way to completing the rally — and continuing their fiery surge in the tilt.
Nambatac, on the other hand, finished with 13 points on 14 shots. Worse, he wasn’t able to finish the match as he got fouled out still with 1:40 to play after being whistled while trying to stop an attacking Belga near the rim.
He also felt how it’s like to be on the losing end with his present team.
Rain or Shine had a 9-0 winning streak over Blackwater prior to Saturday’s meeting, and six of those victories saw Nambatac earn Best Player of the Game honors, according to league stats chief Fidel Mangonon III.
“Professional naman kami pareho,” said Guiao, whose team improved to 3-4 following the comeback win. “I’m sure matutuwa siya ‘pag nanalo siya, at siyempre matutuwa rin kami ‘pag panalo kami.”
(C) PBA Images
Santillan, who finished with 28, seconded as much.
“Si Rey, kumpare ko yan e. So kahit saan kami magpunta, magpapansinan talaga kami,” said the 6-foot-5 winger. “Pero sabi nga ni Coach, professional pagdating sa laro, walang pansinsn. Ganun lang.”
But then again, Nambatac will always be someone dear to them.
“Wala namang nagbago roon sa turingan namin ni Rey,” Guiao said.
