Just as the TNT Tropang 5G were beginning to find their groove in the PBA Philippine Cup, Rey Nambatac will be shelved for a significant amount of time.
TNT’s Grand Slam bid just took a big blow after Rey Nambatac was shelved by a pulled groin, the team announced Saturday, May 17.
Nambatac is expected to be out for four to six weeks.
The spitfire guard, winner of the Commissioner’s Cup Finals MVP award, sustained the injury in the Tropang 5G’s 101-84 walloping of Meralco last May 11.
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In a previous interview, TNT coach Chot Reyes couldn’t stress enough the value of the former NCAA champion from Letran.
“He’s a huge part of our team. He does so many things for us,” said Reyes after TNT scored a third straight win.
This was an anticlimactic development for the Tropang 5G, who finally got their rhythm going after a shocking 0-3 start.
If TNT manages to make a deep playoff run, Nambatac can possibly return for the squad since the elimination round ends on June 15.
Already missing the services of injured star Jayson Castro, the Tropang 5G has no other recourse but to soldier on and hope Calvin Oftana and RR Pogoy stay consistent on both ends of the floor for the rest of the conference.