The TNT Tropang 5G won last season’s PBA Commissioner’s Cup in part because of Rey Nambatac, who delivered a career-defining championship series to help the Tropa outlast Barangay Ginebra San Miguel. He was rightfully named PBA Finals MVP after posting 17.9 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 3.4 assists and becoming one of the team’s go-to guys down the stretch.
But after that superstar-making showing, Nambatac injured his groin early in the succeeding PBA Philippine Cup, sidelining him for the entirety of the conference—including TNT’s PBA Finals showdown with San Miguel, which the latter won in six games.
Nambatac Returns… But Not Quite Like Sting-Rey Yey
This Philippine Cup, Nambatac has played in all of TNT’s 18 games and has been quite productive, putting up 11.2 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game and adding a reliable four-point shot to his already formidable arsenal.
But for TNT coach Chot Reyes, his prized guard isn’t quite there yet.
“Ang taas ng nilalaro ni Rey at that point, and then he got that injury. It really affected his explosiveness,” Reyes pointed out on Power and Play on Saturday when he was asked about Nambatac.
Rey’s Big Return?
Even so, Reyes is hopeful that Nambatac will reach the MVP-level form he displayed just a few months ago—especially with the number of games he has played this season thus far.
“All throughout the elimination round and even in the semifinals, hindi pa balik na balik ‘yung lift. Okay ka, malakas ka, you’re in shape, wala na ‘yung injury, pero hindi lang naman ‘yung recovery from injury,” Reyes further said. “It’s also the gap of getting to where ‘yung mataas na level ng nilalaro mo. Hopefully, because he’s got a lot of games now under his belt, sana bumalik na ‘yung explosiveness niya.”
Reyes probably isn’t alone, as the entire TNT nation will surely be looking forward to a full return to form for Rey Nambatac. And if his heroic Game 5 against the Meralco Bolts is any indication, then the real Sting-Rey might just be up for a big return in the PBA Finals.
