Jayson Castro gave Rey Nambatac and the rest of the TNT Tropang Giga an added boost in Game 6 of the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup Finals
TNT refused to back down as it pulled off a thrilling 87-83 victory over Ginebra to force a decisive Game 7 in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup Finals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Wednesday, March 26.
One of the key figures in the Tropang Giga’s Game 6 victory was Rey Nambatac, who stepped up with 23 points, which included a buzzer-beating four-pointer to end the third quarter.
This gave TNT momentum heading to the final quarter, where it went on a 9-0 opener to build a 72-62 lead.
[WATCH: Rey Nambatac propels TNT to Game 6 victory over Ginebra]
While his contributions on the court were vital, Nambatac credited a familiar figure for giving the team an extra boost of motivation: veteran guard Jayson Castro.
“'Yong pagpunta pa lang ni Kuya Jayson kahapon sa practice namin, sobrang extra motivation sa’min 'yon,” Nambatac said during the post-game press conference.
“Even though wala siya sa mga past few games namin, nararamdaman namin 'yung presence niya. Kahapon sa practice, may pieces of advice siya sa amin, especially sa veterans na in-apply namin ngayon sa game na ito,” he added.
Rey Nambatac has big shoes to fill since the sidelining of Jayson Castro's due to injury in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup semifinals. | Photos (c) RM Chua/One Sports
Castro, who suffered a patellar tendon tear in his right knee during Game 2 of the semifinals against Rain or Shine, has been out of action since undergoing surgery.
With Castro coming to training and watching Game 6 from the sidelines, the presence of the two-time Best Point Guard in Asia seemingly served as a rallying point for the Tropang Giga.
But it wasn’t just Nambatac who rose to the occasion.
Big man Poy Erram delivered 14 points — 10 of which came in the fourth quarter — while also securing a crucial rebound that helped TNT hold off Ginebra in the final moments.
[RELATED STORY: Nambatac steps up for TNT: 'Importante 'yong decision-making ko lalo't wala si Kuya Jayson']
Despite dealing with cramps late in the game, Nambatac assured that he would be ready for the decisive Game 7.
“Iba 'yong crowd. Iba 'yung intensity sa game. So siguro, naninibago 'yung katawan ko,” Nambatac admitted.
“But OK naman. Manageable 'yong cramps ko. Kaya naman makapag-practice."
With the series now tied at 3-3, all eyes are on the highly anticipated Game 7 on Friday, March 29, where the Tropang Giga look to complete their comeback and secure their second-straight title.