Rey Nambatac needs to deliver again as TNT goes for crown no. 10 on Friday, Nov. 8.
Once upon a time, Rey Nambatac reveled in Letran’s NCAA conquest.
One would think Nambatac would already be accustomed to the final stage of a tournament where stakes are high given his championship experience in 2015. But vying for a PBA title is a different story altogether.
The TNT guard admitted playing in the Season 49 Governors’ Cup Finals against Ginebra has brought forth immense pressure to deliver.
“Doon (collegiate) kasi, kaya mo agad i-overcome. Dito kasi, best-of-seven series 'to, eh. Ito 'yung mas may pressure lalo kung maunahan ka manalo, maunahan sa series,” said Nambatac.
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Thrust into the important role as lead playmaker, Nambatac is making sure he is handling the pressure well.
“Ako naman, 'di ko tine-take yun (pressure) as negative. I take that as positive, eh. As a motivation also na andito na ako. We'll never know kailan ulit ako makakapag-finals,” Nambatac said.
“Ito na 'yung best chance kong makamit 'yung first -ever PBA championship ko. Sana ipagkaloob ni Lord sa Friday.”
The Tropang Giga are back in pole position in the best-of-seven contest at 3-2 and is just a win away from its 10th title.
For Nambatac, that would be his first in the pros since being drafted by Rain or Shine in 2017.
The spitfire guard knows closing out the series against the Gin Kings will not be any easier.
“Job’s not done until lumabas 'yang confetti na 'yan. For me, isa sa hardest sa part ng Finals kasi nandoon na lahat ng pressure, eh. Nandoon na lahat ng eagerness mo to win the championship mo,” he said.
Nambatac is ready to take on the same major role when Game 6 unfurls on Friday, Nov. 8, also at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.