REY Nambatac has won his third championship in his storied career since college.
The first one was with his alma mater team, the Letran Knights in the National Collegiate Athletic Association back in the 2015.
The second and third was last year’s Philippine Basketball Association Governor’s Cup and then, this year’s Commissioner’s Cup, which came last Friday, with the TNT Tropang Giga.
In that decisive Game 7, Nambatac took over in the final minutes to lead TNT to an 87-83 overtime thriller for the franchise’s 11th championship.
The 31-year-old Nambatac eked out a playoff career-high 23 points in Game 6, and 22 points, four assists, two rebounds, and three steals in Game 7 on Friday at the Araneta Coliseum.
Nambatac said there was pressure for him to step up, with Jayson Castro, the last conference’s PBA Finals’ MVP, injured and sidelined. He needed to step up as the team’s point guard, helping direct team plays during the games.
“When Kuya Jayson was injured, I knew it that the pressure was on me Talaga. Grabe iyung pinagdaanan ko. Hindi ko alam kung paano ko na-overcome ‘yung ganoon. But, then again nu’ng sinubukan kong i-embrace ‘yung challenge, it ang naging outcome,” said Nambatac.
The 5’11” Nambatac, who is on his eighth year in the league, ended up getting his first-ever individual award in the league.
Tropang Giga coach Chot Reyes said the players never lost heart when the Gin Kings came back in the last four minutes, and later forced an overtime.
“I told the team that we were OK, and we’re still in the game. So, don’t lose heart, don’t lose heart. I told them that we’re still in the ballgame. And that’s only way we survived,” remarked Reyes.
Reyes earlier imparted a spiritual message to members of the TNT Tropang Giga before they went on to claim the crown.
Quoting a scripture from the Bible, Reyes told the squad to first play with all their hearts, strength and understanding.
Next, he asked the squad to put in some love, and be selfless with the way they play their game.
His message seemed to have struck home, as Rondae Hollis-Jefferson banged in 25 points for the TNT Tropang Giga.
“The players put in a hell of an effort. We are thankful to be in this position, and we are thankful to have pulled off this victory,” said Reyes.
“As you can see, we don’t really have the best talent. We don’t have the deepest bench. But there’s something about our players. They just refuse to quit,”added Reyes.