By REYNALD MAGALLON
Rey Nambatac admitted losing sleep over the missed game-winner he took against Converge last game and he was just glad to finally atone himself with a stellar performance in Rain or Shine’s much-needed win over Blackwater.
The Elasto Painters star finally had his breakout game this conference, dropping 21 points, seven rebounds and four assists – a huge leap from his 10 points on a 1-of-8 clip from the field, including the three-pointer he took that could have won it for Rain or Shine in the 102-101 loss to Converge.
“Sobrang totoo ‘yun na nahihiya ako, hindi ako makatulog ng ilang days. Pero tingin ko, eto ‘yung best way ko against Blackwater na makapag-bounce back at kahit papaano, mabawasan ‘yung frustration sa sarili ko at sa mga kasama ko, and especially kay coach Yeng,” said Nambatac.
Rain or Shine was actually on its way of picking up the huge win over the FiberXers but it squandered a huge 17-point lead – something that Nambatac is taking responsibility for, especially being one of the leaders of the team.
“Going into this game, motivation ko na ‘yun na whatever happens, kailangan kong suklian si coach Yeng, ‘yung mga players, ‘yung mga teammates ko, ‘yung mga assistant coaches,” said Nambatac after helping Rain or Shine take 116-97 victory over Blackwater.
While the fiery coach admitted that the triple was a little ill-advised considering Converge was only up by one during that point, he stressed that he would willingly leave the ball in Nambatac’s hands during such stretches of the game.
“Sa akin kasi, noong game ng araw na yun, pinagsabihan ko siya kung ano yung mga magandang diskarte. After that, nakalimutan ko na yun. Pero syempre, sa player, mag-stick yun,” said Guiao.
“And all throughout this conference, alam ko kasi yung role ni Rey sa team na ito, leader siya, go-to guy siya, inaasahan siya ng mga kasama niya, ng coaching staff. Importante talaga makuha na niya yung rhythm ng game niya,” he added.
Still, Nambatac’s recent explosion is a welcome sight for Guiao especially that they are heading into the final assignment of the conference against Magnolia that could either make or break their playoff aspirations.
“Importante mabuo ‘yung loob niya na aasahan talaga siya. Every game, I try to give him a chance to get that rhythm, magka-break siya, makakumpiyansa siya, para lang maibalik yung dati niyang kumpiyansa sa sarili niya,” explained Guiao
