The Mikey Williams saga at TNT Tropang Giga has long been water under the bridge.
But, for TNT newcomer Rey Nambatac, the ghost of Mikey loomed large at the start, with fans and pundits wondering if he could be a Williams replacement. Stingrey hasn’t exactly replaced the prolific scoring of the Fil-Am guard entirely, but he seems to be doing enough. In fact, with Nambatac playing a key role in TNT’s return to the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals, it can be argued that he has been doing quite all right—Williams comparisons be damned.
Nambatac Emerges as Game 1 Hero for TNT
The lefty guard proved as much in Game 1 of the PBA Finals, posting a near triple-double of 18 points (15 in the second half), 10 rebounds, and 7 assists. Even so, Nambatac downplayed his heroics and gave Williams his flowers.
“To be honest, malayo talaga ko sa kanya. Mikey is a legit scorer, kahit anong defensive scheme gawin mo sa kanya, talagang nagagawan niya ng paraan,” Nambatac told reporters. “With regards sa playing style ko, malayo. Kumbaga ang goal ko nung napunta ako sa TNT, at least 50% nung nagagawa ni Mikey; ‘yung other 50%, pagtutulong-tulongan nalang namin.”
If that’s 50%, best believe TNT and its fans will take it with open arms—especially coming in a game where the seven-year vet admitted to feeling the proverbial butterflies in his stomach.
“Actually, andami kong mga nararamdaman kanina pagpasok palang ng arena. To be honest, sobrang kinabahan talaga ko, lalo na ‘yung nag-opening na,” Nambatac said postgame. “Kinilabutan ako, tapos parang nanghihina ‘yung katawan ko, but good thing na-overcome ko ‘yun and nung start ng game, first half medyo andun pa ‘yung gigil ko. Hindi ko pa mahanap ‘yung rhythm ko. Nung second half, unti-unti ko nang nakuha and ayun, nagtuloy-tuloy na.”
Nambatac found his rhythm all right, and now TNT is ahead 1-0 in the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals.
A few more of these and TNT fans might soon be asking—Mikey who?
