Rey Nambatac has been a deadly scorer for TNT in the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup playoffs.
There is probably no TNT player as excited as Rey Nambatac for the upcoming PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup Finals against Ginebra.
Nambatac enters the championship round for the first time since being drafted seventh overall by Rain or Shine in 2017.
“Mga 9 out of 10 (level of excitement). Finally, it’s a dream come true na makaabot sa PBA Finals,” Nambatac told One Sports before the finals press conference on Thursday, Oct. 24.
“Imagine mo, seven years din ang hinintay ko bago ako makaabot dito.”
[ALSO READ: Chot Reyes shifts focus away from coaches, says PBA Finals outcome lies in players' hands]
It was indeed a long and agonizing wait for the Tropang Giga gunner.
And now that he is here, the former Letran Knight is making the most of this experience.
That is why Nambatac will play despite an injured pinkie, which he sustained late in TNT's finals-clinching 113-95 Game 5 win over the Elasto Painters last Oct. 18.
“OK naman. Maga pa pero kaya namang ilaro,” Nambatac said.
“May pain pa rin, mga 5 out of 10. Pero kaya 'to. 'Di ko na palalampasin 'to (playing in the finals). Sayang, eh,” he added, smiling.
[ALSO READ: Ginebra stars Scottie Thompson, RJ Abarrientos react to ‘Fast and Furious 2.0’ tag]
Nambatac is expected to deliver anew for the Tropang Giga after averaging 14.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 3.4 assists against his former team in the semifinals.
Game 1 unfurls Sunday, Oct. 27, at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo.