The decision to trade Rey Namabatac did not come easy, but it had to be made, according to Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao.
Not a few were surprised when Rain or Shine traded away Rey Nambatac to Blackwater for a first-round pick in the next PBA Draft.
The initial confusion was understandable.
Nambatac is a spitfire guard who is fearless in getting to the rim and is not one to shy away from taking the last shot.
Here is a prototype Yeng Guiao player, now slipping through the Elastopainters coach's fingers.
But it was a decision Guiao needed to make for the benefit of both parties.
“That’s always a painful and sad decision. But it needs to be made for the both of us na mag-benefit,” said Guiao.
The multi-titled mentor understood what Nambatac could bring to the table better than most people. But there are a lot of factors that must be taken into account in making decisions of this magnitude.
“I know what Rey can do, [he is] an excellent player. But we have such long rotation on the guard position and we wanted to give everybody a chance,” said Guiao, who also had guys like Andrei Caracut, Adrian Nocum and Anton Asistio at his disposal.
“Si Rey kasi will require certain amount of minutes for his game to really come out. I wasn’t able to give him that substantive minutes," he added.
That was why it was only prudent to give him away to the Blackwater team that badly needs a player of his caliber after the departure of Baser Amer. The move would also reunite him with former teammate James Yap, who was signed by the Bossing early this month.
“I think where he is right now or in the future, 'yung galing nya will justify that. Kahit mahirap, tingin ko, makakabuti sa both sides, eh,” said the veteran tactician.
Nambatac and the rest of Blackwater will open hostilities in the Philippine Cup as they face Meralco in the first match of a double-header on Feb. 28 at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
(With reports from Meilin Lozada)