The new year entered with Rey Nambatac broken hearted after the end of a long-time relationship. Three months later, the TNT guard found his new love.

“Ito na iyong bagong love life ko coach,” Nambatac told Tropang Giga head coach Chot Reyes at the start of the Game 7 finals press conference.

He was not referring to anyone but rather his PBA Finals Most Valuable Player plaque which he dearly held since it was handed to him during the awarding ceremony.

Turning serious though, the 31-year-old point guard was just blessed to be able to bag the award especially with how much he had to deal with pressure following the injury of TNT star guard Jayson Castro.

“Sobrang blessed kasi I’ve been in my career talagang ups and downs talaga. Hindi biro ‘yung pinagdaanan ko even itong conference na ito when kuya Jayson was injured,” said Nambatac.

“I knew na talagang the pressure is on me talaga. Grabe yung pinagdaanan ko non di ko alam kung paano ko mapag daanan yung ganung pressure but then again sinubukan kong iembrace yung challenge na iyon and ito yung naging outcome,” he added.

Nambatac averaged 17.85 points, 3.1 rebounds and 3.4 assists highlighted by a playoff career-high 23 points in Game 3 and 22 points in the title-clinching 87-83 win in Game 7.

He admitted that he never really expected nor targeted any individual award heading into the series and is only looking at winning his second straight PBA title.

“I did not expect naman na mag Finals MVP ako kasi ang mindset ko talaga isa lang – makapag back-to-back champion ako,” said Nambatac.

“Tagal ko na sa PBA, 8 years na ako and sayang kaya ginrab ko na yung opportunity na ito. Ito na yung best way ko, best chance ko na makasungkit uli ng kampeonato sa PBA,” he added.

Admittedly struggling to step up into the bigger role in the Finals, Nambatac expressed gratitude to Castro who personally talked to him and gave him confidence.

“Siya naman talaga yung naging mentor ko. ‘Yun yung naging extra motivation sa akin mga advice nya nung pumunta sya sa practice namin.  Doon talaga nag simula, nag spark yung confidence ko,” said Nambatac.

“Naappreciate ko siya even na hirap  sya makapaglakad pa yung time and effort nya na pumunta dun sobrang laing bagay para sa akin at sa mga teammates ko,” he added.