Rey Nambatac was out for four months due to a groin injury, but it did not show as he led the TNT Tropang 5G to its first win in PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup.
Rey Nambatac did not look like he was coming off a lengthy layoff Friday night, Oct. 10.
Shelved for four months because of a groin injury, Nambatac reintroduced himself in TNT’s 93-78 win over Phoenix in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup at the Ynares Center in Montalban.
The spitfire guard fired 22 points he embellished with six rebounds, three assists and a steal.
[RELATED STORY: Rey Nambatac, TNT clip Phoenix for roaring start to PBA PH Cup]
“Siyempre, excited ako kasi parang four months akong hindi nakalaro,” said the recent Commissioner’s Cup Finals Most Valuable Player.
Nambatac felt helpless as he could only watch the Tropang 5G fall to San Miguel in last season’s All-Filipino Finals.
That was why he did everything right to get back at full strength during the offseason with the help of his teammates.
“Ito talaga ang pinaghahandaan ko. Good thing naman mga teammates ko pinush hard nila ako nung training camp namin,” Nambatac said.
“To be honest, out of shape ako at nahirapan ako noong una. But then again, nagkaroon ako ng opportunity na maka-recover, makuha ang rhythm ko at 'yong timing ko. Kaya ito, unti-unting nagbunga.”
Newest Tropa Kevin Ferrer also delivers
But the win was not just about Nambatac.
Although he hurt his ankle in practice, Calvin Oftana still delivered 15 points to go with nine rebounds, two assists and a steal.
New TNT recruit Kevin Ferrer and Simon Enciso scored 12 each for the Tropang 5G, who led by 16 behind Nambatac's four straight points, 81-65, with 5:32 left to play.
[RELATED STORY: PBA: Kevin Ferrer feels like a rookie as career gets new lease on life with TNT Tropang 5G]
Tyler Tio drilled in a trey as he hoped to will Phoenix with under two minutes remaining.
But Glenn Khobuntin, who finished with nine points, shut the door on Tio and Co. with his own seven consecutive points, punctuated by a four-pointer.
Tio paced the Fuel Masters with 12 points and two assists, while Jason Perkins added the same number of points he topped with eight boards.
Kai Ballungay and Ken Tuffin combined for 21 markers.
TNT vs Phoenix Scores:
TNT 93 – Nambatac 22, Oftana 15, Enciso 12, Ferrer 12, Khobuntin 9, Pogoy 8, Galinato 8, Jalalon 4, Williams 3, Hill 0
PHOENIX 78 – Tio 12, Perkins 12, Ballungay 11, Tuffin 10, Nelle 9, Rivero 8, Santos 6, Manganti 5, Jazul 3, Taha 2, Caperal 0
Quarterscores: 22-21, 45-42, 66-56, 93-78
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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.