Rey Nambatac is itching to play and help TNT Tropang 5G win championships in the PBA Season 50 after recovering from injury.
The sting from the foiled Grand Slam bid still lingers for TNT star Rey Nambatac.
Nambatac could only wish he was with his teammates in the trenches when the Tropang 5G were going for the hat trick against San Miguel in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup.
“What if, 'no? Kung andun sana ako, kahit papano may maitutulong din sana,” Nambatac told reporters during the PBA Media Day Thursday, Sept. 25.
“Not just on offense, siyempre 'yung presence and then 'yung pagiging leader na rin sa team as a point guard, 'yun 'yung isang bagay na matutulong ko sana sa team nung last finals namin.”
[RELATED STORY: Big blow for TNT Tropang 5G as injured Rey Nambatac is out 4-6 weeks]
But injuries to players like Nambatac, who suffered a pulled groin early in the conference, plagued their campaign and ultimately denied them of a historic feat.
For Nambatac then, there’s nothing worse than feeling helpless in the face of adversity.
That’s why the former NCAA champion with Letran is doing everything to get ready for a healthy season where he can help TNT win championships again.
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“Well excited na and may kaunting gigil lalo na nung last finals namin… talagang wala akong magawa kundi manood lang, mag-cheer sa mga kasama ko,” he said.
“Lalo na nung nakikita ko mga teammates ko na lahat sila may iniiindang injuries. Sa part ko medyo masakit kasi wala akong nagawa.”
Namabatac is far from his Commissioner’s Cup Finals MVP form, but he’s getting there one way or another.
“So far naman ito, unti-unti nakukuha ko na ulit 'yung rhythm ko, 'yung timing ko and then conditioning,” he said.
“… itong panibagong conference, All-Filipino, rest assured naman na healthy ako and ready to play.”
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Like most sportswriters, Jan Ballesteros once dreamed of becoming a professional hooper. But he learned the hard way that it’s not for everyone.
He continues to be involved in the sport he loves, but this time as a member of the PBA Press Corps. Aside from primarily covering the PBA, he is also assigned to cover Gilas Pilipinas.