CJ Cansino tried to will Meralco to a series extension, but Rey Nambatac broke his and the rest of the Bolts' hearts with his dagger four for TNT's Finals-clinching escape in the PBA PH Cup.
Rey Nambatac could not help but be in awe of CJ Cansino even after TNT ousted Meralco in Game 5 of the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup semifinals Wednesday night, Jan. 14.
Cansino almost single-handedly tried to will the Bolts and nearly extended the best-of-seven series.
The sophomore guard finished with a career-high 36 points, but Meralco, which led by five in the final 27 seconds of the match, still bowed to the Tropang 5G, 96-99.
TNT thus marched to the championship round, where it awaits the winner between Ginebra and San Miguel in the other semifinal pairing.
Nambatac had nothing but praise for the Meralco rising star.
“Sobrang galing ng batang 'yon. Parang hindi siya [sophomore]. Iba na talaga ang mga bata ngayon,” said the 31-year-old Nambatac of Cansino, who is five years his junior.
Jordan Heading and Rey Nambatac guard CJ Cansino during Game 5 of the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup semifinals. | Photo: RM Chua/One Sports
Nambatac was one of two KaTropa whose field goals pierced through the hearts of the Bolts in the endgame.
Down five in the dying seconds, the former Letran ace nailed the crucial four-pointer at the 0:21 mark, then Jordan Heading swiped the ball from Cansino for the go-ahead basket, 97-96.
[RELATED STORY: PBA referee suspended for missing crucial foul by Oftana against Cansino in semis Game 5]
Cansino, who fired 15 of his total scoring output in less than five minutes, had the chance to set up the stage for an extra period, but his three-point attempt against Calvin Oftana did not hit the rim.
For Nambatac, Cansino’s heroics in the absence of Meralco leader Chris Newsome — who is nursing an MCL sprain — will go a long way in his trek to stardom.
“Ang kagandahan kay CJ, kita mo sa confidence niya at body language na ayaw niyang sumuko,” said Nambatac.
[RELATED STORY: PBA: CJ Cansino sticks to positives as 36-point effort goes to waste in Meralco Game 5 exit]
“To think na bata pa si CJ. Marami pa siyang matututunan lalo 'tong series na 'to. I heard first semifinals nya 'to, so marami siyang lessons na matutunan dito. For sure dadalhin niya 'yan sa upcoming conferences pa.”
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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.