Rey Nambatac (left) provides valuable energy and scoring that allows TNT veteran Jayson Castro a lot of rest. —PBA IMAGES
TNT captured a third-straight victory on Sunday night to rise to 5-1 overall in the PBA Governors’ Cup.
Veteran Jayson Castro came through in the clutch, putting the game away from Converge’s reach and eventually giving the Tropang Giga a 5-1 mark to open the tournament, their first hot start since the 2021 Philippine Cup where they were eventually crowned champions.
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As heroic as Castro may have been that Sunday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Malate, Manila, both the fleet-footed star and head coach Chot Reyes felt the 98-91 victory wouldn’t have been possible without Rey Nambatac, a crafty guard the club reeled in during the offseason.
“Great, great impact,” Reyes said of the former Rain or Shine standout acquired in exchange for role players Kib Montalbo and Jewel Ponferrada.
“The reason Jayson’s able to play these quality minutes is because of the [way] Rey is playing—allowing him to get lots of rest, and be well-rested every time he’s on the floor.”
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Nambatac had 14 points in the first half before Castro took over in the next two periods and helped TNT secure payback against Converge, who dealt the Tropang Giga their only loss thus far in the tournament through a Scotty Hopson game-winning quadshot.
Reyes said having Nambatac alongside his trusty floor general has been such a luxury for the Tropang Giga.
The numbers back that claim up.
Third-best
Numbers shared by the league’s stats chief Fidel Mangonon III show that Nambatac was averaging 12.0 rebounds 5.0 rebounds and 2.6 assists going into Sunday’s game. His scoring output puts him as TNT’s third most potent weapon behind import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and the talented forward Calvin Oftana.
Nambtac said he’s simply essaying the role he’s been given.
“My role is to simply sustain whatever good we have going,” he told the Inquirer in between granting fans selfies outside the venue.
“It’s for times when kuya Jayson is on the bench, making sure that him—and other veterans—are well-rested and fresh once we enter the crucial moments,” he added. “I think I’m doing well with the job. And I think my teammates and coach Chot appreciate that.”
Nambatac says his easy transition into the TNT system was made possible by Castro himself and Oftana, a fellow Cebuano, “I give them credit because it has been quick.”
“My goal going into this team was to provide quality minutes, and I think I’m giving exactly that,” he said.
Nambatac feels TNT has been making a good account of itself at a time when the race for a playoff berth is starting to heat up.
And that’s what three more clubs hope to do in Tuesday’s twin bill at Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Malate, Manila.
Rain or Shine tackles winless Phoenix, while resurgent Blackwater shoots for a repeat over Barangay Ginebra in a doubleheader that will have serious implications in their respective Governors’ Cup bids.
The Elasto Painters, coming off a narrow loss to San Miguel on Thursday last week will try to inch closer to its initial goal of tabbing six wins in the 5:00 p.m. clash, hoping to bolster its chances of making it to the knockout stage.
The Bossing, meanwhile, shoot for a fourth-straight victory over the fancied Gin Kings, whom they gutted with a late surge during their last encounter.
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A win by Phoenix mathematically keeps them in the race. A triumph will be just as key for both Blackwater and Ginebra as it could afford either club positioning edge when the Pool B race hits fever pitch. INQ