Veteran cager Rey Nambatac completed a well-executed play by drilling in the game-winning shot with two seconds left, lifting Rain or Shine past the San Miguel Beermen, 95-93, Sunday in the 2021 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup at the Don Honorio Ventura State University Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.
The 5’9” Nambatac only tallied nine points for the Elastopainters, but his game-winner carried the Elasto Painters nearer to the quarterfinals with their sixth win in 10 games in fifth place.
Nambatac knocked in his left-handed shot after CJ Perez stole the ball and sank a driving layup with 12 seconds left to level the count at 93-all.
Elasto Painters’ coach Chris Gavina said Nambatac did exactly as they planned the play.
“I designed a play where he’ll gets it at the top of the key, or he’ll get it from the post, and it will be a handoff to him. I got him the ball, and he’s the one who was able go with his instincts and win that game with that basket for us,” said Gavina.
Nambatac quickly drove in after getting a pass from Beau Belga and avoiding Mo Tautuaa, leaving two seconds on the shotclock for the Beermen to either tie to win.
But defense worked well for the Elasto Painters after that when Leonard Santillan forced Terrence Romeo to hand over the ball to Marcio Lassiter, whose hurried triple missed its mark as time expired.
Santillan knocked in a career-high 21 points, including a layup and triple in the last four seconds of the third period, putting the Elasto Painters ahead, 72-69.
Perez top-scored with 28 points for the Beermen, who now have a 5-3 card. Romeo backed up Perez with 20 points, while Arwind Santos added 18.
Javee Mocon contributed 18 points and 12 rebounds for ROS, while Anton Asistio scored 11.