Rey Nambatac shone in the fourth period of TNT’s Game 1 win over Ginebra in the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup Finals on Sunday, Oct. 27.
Rey Nambatac gestured to the crowd after nailing a four-pointer on top of the key early in the fourth period in Game 1 of the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup Finals on Sunday, Oct. 27.
Nambatac was pointing to his father, Rey Sr., who was part of the 11,021 record crowd for a PBA game held at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
That quadruple gave TNT an 84-67 lead over Ginebra with still 9:12 left to play that eventually turned to a 104-88 win for the headstart in the best-of-seven contest.
Stepping foot for the first time in the championship stage in the pros, Nambatac admitted he had to overcome a jittery start before putting up a tour-de-force performance that saw him drop 12 of his 18 points in the fourth period.
He also had 10 rebounds, seven assists and two steals in almost 27 minutes of action.
“To be honest, sobrang kinabahan talaga ako. Kinilabutan ako. Parang nanghihina ang katawan ko. Good thing na-overcome ko,” said Nambatac, who only had three points in the first half.
“Good thing noong second half, noong unti-unti ko nang nakuha ang rhythm, nagtuluy-tuloy na.”
Rey Nambatac reacts after nailing his four-point shot in the fourth quarter of the Game 1 battle between TNT and Ginebra in the PBA Season 49 Governors' Cup Finals. | Photo (c) RM Chua/One Sports
Aside from Nambatac, super import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson proved a steady presence with 19 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, three blocks and a steal for TNT.
Poy Erram and Jayson Castro also had valuable contributions.
[WATCH: TNT's Rey Nambatac unfazed in first pro Finals appearance | PBA Highlights]
Erram finished with 15 points and four rebounds while veteran Castro added 14 points, including 12 in the third that allowed the Tropang Giga to take a 72-62 lead entering the final canto.
RR Pogoy had 12 points built on two triples.
Meanwhile, Justin Brownlee put in 23 points, seven rebounds and six assists but hardly made a difference for the Gin Kings, who were trailing the entire way.
Japeth Aguilar put up 14 points, six rebounds and an assist, while Ralph Cu had 13 points, five rebounds and six assists.
The Scores:
TNT 104 – Hollis-Jefferson 19, Nambatac 18, Erram 15, Castro 14, Pogoy 12, Oftana 9, Aurin 8, Khobuntin 5, Williams 2, Heruela 2, Payawal 0, Galinato 0.
GINEBRA 88 – Brownlee 23, J.Aguilar 14, Cu 13, Holt 12, Ahanmisi 10, Thompson 7, Abarrientos 5, Pinto 2, Tenorio 2, Pessumal 0, Mariano 0, Adamos 0.
Quarterscores: 27-15, 43-37, 72-62, 104-88