Nambatac sees trade to Bossing a chance to prove self
At A Glance
- The seven-year PBA veteran seamlessly fit himself with the Bossing and it was very much evident in his first game where he led the team to a 96-93 victory over the Meralco Bolts.
Rey Nambatac didn’t look like he had to make adjustments when he came over to Blackwater.
The seven-year PBA veteran seamlessly fit himself with the Bossing and it was very much evident in his first game where he led the team to a 96-93 victory over the Meralco Bolts.
Nambatac tied his second-best scoring performance with 27 points while also recording a career-high 10 assists. He also shot a perfect 12-of-12 clip from the foul line, none more crucial than the last few he made to keep a rallying Bolts at bay in the waning seconds.
The impressive debut was just proof that he can still make it after getting traded for the first time in his career, according to Nambatac.
“Dito sa Blackwater, another experience, another challenge for me sa akin kailangan ko lang i-polish ulit this time with my new teammates with my new coach. Hopefully, habang tumatagal makukuha ko rin iyon,” said Nambatac.
“It’s a big challenge and, at the same time, motivation pa rin yon na to prove something, i-prove sa sarili ko and to everyone na I can still make it,” he added.
Nambatac enjoyed longer playing minutes at Blackwater after only playing a little over 15 minutes last conference with Rain or Shine. The Letran standout said he is eager to repay the trust that Blackwater management and head coach Jeff Cariaso had given him.
“The moment na napunta ako sa Blackwater, sa first practice namin, na-feel ko talaga na very welcome ako especially coach Jeff,” said Nambatac.
“After the trade he called me sa phone so nag-uusap kami and dun ko na-feel na sobrang gusto ako ni coach Jeff and in return ito. Unti unti babalik ko yung tiwala na binigay sa akin ni coach Jeff,” he added.
For Cariaso, having a player like Nambatac who is playing with a chip on his shoulder is a welcome addition to a team that is also having a lot to prove in the league.
“One thing that we know moving forward is that this guy is only gonna get better. I like the fact that he has a chip on his shoulder. I love the fact that he comes in everyday with something to prove, a guy like that with the team, you can never go wrong,” said Cariaso.
“It’s just a first step but a good first step,” he added.