Behind Rey Nambatac's heroics, a thrilling PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup match between Meralco and TNT went the latter's way Wednesday, Oct. 29.
Quiet in the first 24 minutes of action, Rey Nambatac made quite a noise when it mattered most.
Nambatac dropped 18 of his 22 points in the second half and TNT survived Meralco, 100-98, in overtime in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup Wednesday night, Oct. 29.
His brightest moment came in the extra period, where he sank the game-winning floater with 0.9 ticks remaining as the Tropang 5G rejoined NLEX atop the leaderboard with their similar 4-1 records.
“Binabasa ko lang ang defense na ginagawa nila sa'kin. 'Yong team defense nila, talagang binabasa ko rin,” said Nambatac.
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Before his game-winner, Nambatac nailed two quadruples in the fourth period, the last of which gave the Tropang 5G their first lead of the game, 90-87, with only 1:04 left to play.
But Chris Newsome would not allow the Bolts to raise the white flag just yet, hitting a triple to send the game into overtime.
“Noong first half kasi, naka-three attempts ako sa three points... kaso hindi talaga pumapasok,” Nambatac said.
“Nag-try ako sa four points. Good thing naman, 'yong unang tira ko sa four points, pumasok. Sabi ko nga, it’s all about confidence na lang. At least, gumana naman at nag-payoff din.”
Nambatac also registered four rebounds, two assists, a steal and a block for the Tropang 5G, who rallied from as many as 23 points down.\
Calvin Oftana led all TNT scorers with 24 markers. He also had five boards, a dime and four steals.
Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser contributed 14 points and six rebounds, while RR Pogoy also scored 14. and three rebounds.
Meanwhile, the Bolts slid to a 3-4 tally before playing four games in the East Asia Super League in a one-month stretch.
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Newsome paced Meralco with 24 points, five rebounds, six assists and three steals.
Cliff Hodge punched in a double-double of 21 markers and 10 boards, while Aaron Black had 14 points and seven rebounds.
TNT vs. Meralco Scores:
TNT 100 – Oftana 24, Nambatac 22, Ganuelas-Rosser 14, Pogoy 14, Jalalon 10, Galinato 8, Khobuntin 4, Ferrer 4, Aurin 0, Williams 0, Enciso 0, Nieto 0
Meralco 98 – Newsome 24, Hodge 21, Black 14, Banchero 12, Cansino 8, Quinto 6, Maliksi 5, Almazan 4, Comia 2, Bates 2, Pascual 0
Quarterscores: 13-21, 28-48, 64-74, 90-90, 100-98
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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.