THE last time TNT battled Rain or Shine in a best-of-three quarterfinals series, the Tropang Giga had yet to acquire Rey Nambatac. TNT had also welcomed the return of Chot Reyes following the veteran coach's stint as Gilas Pilipinas coach and the team was also riddled with injuries as well as an internal problem dealing with Mikey Williams.
Nambatac is now playing with the Tropang Giga and performing a key role for the Tropang Giga while also helping his new squad to a 90-81 win over Rain or Shine as the defending champions had taken the head start in their best-of-seven semifinals series of the PBA Governors' Cup.
The lefty gunner flirted with a double-double performance of 14 points and nine rebounds as he played inspired basketball against the squad which he played for in his first seven years in the PBA. He had 11 of his total output in the third period when the Tropang Giga outscored the Elasto Painters, 36-23.
But more than the extra motivation of beating his former team, Reyes believes Nambatac is more focused on helping the Tropang Giga of returning to the championship round. The veteran bench tactician is confident that with Nambatac playing a key role, the Tropang Giga had found a missing piece, one which they definitely lacked when they lost previously in the playoffs against the Elasto Painters.
"I think the problem there, we couldn't close out that series because Jayson (Castro) got injured in Game 2, so he was really not a factor anymore in Game 3," Reyes recalled when his team lost a three-game series against Rain or Shine in the quarterfinal; round of the Philippine Cup last season.
"Ang laking bagay now that we have Rey. But remember, we also didn't have Poy (Erram) in that series, so Poy is also important."
The inclusion of Nambatac and the return of Erram had certainly boosted the Tropang Giga, who are playing with much confidence to defend the crown which they won two seasons ago. Last season, the PBA came up with a two-conference season, without the Governors' Cup, to give way to the Philippines' participation in the FIBA World Cup as well as the Asian Games.
Team manager Jojo Lastimosa echoed Reyes' observation and shared the value of having Nambatac in the roster, saying: "I like our chances. But they have to understand that the last time we won a championship, we have a prolific scorer in Mikey Williams, so last season naramdaman ito ng team.
"So we looked for a guard who can at least supplement Jayson. Rey came to the picture and he is a perfect complement to Jayson and puwede silang maglaro ng sabay, either one of them can play on the ball or off the ball. Sabi nga ni Coach Chot sa amin, 'kung si Rey nga naglaro sa amin against Rain or Shine, baka pumasok pa kami ng semis.' (RJ)
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