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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider Nambatac relishes fourth straight PBA Finals with TNT

Nambatac relishes fourth straight PBA Finals with TNT

Published Jan 18, 2026 01:25 pm

At A Glance

  • He had his fair share to TNT's success — having won the Finals MVP award once, and in the most recent one, spearheading the Tropang 5G's comeback in the Finals-clinching win over Meralco in Game 6.

For eight years, Rey Nambatac failed to advance to the Finals, let alone win a championship in the PBA.

Then the trade to TNT came and he is now marching to his fourth straight appearance with a chance at winning his third chip — all in just a span of a year.

“Bawing bawi yung eight years ko,” said Nambatac with a hearty laugh.

“Sobrang blessed, kasi, finally, kay tagal kong inantay 'to, tagal kong pinagdasal 'to, na sana, na makaabot ako sa Finals, makapag-champion. Hiniling ko lang kay Lord, na Lord, makapag-champion ako, eto binigyan niya pa ako ng fourth straight Finals appearance,” he added.

But Nambatac’s Finals appearances did not come just because he was traded to an already powerhouse team and a perennial contender. 

He had his fair share to TNT’s success — having won the Finals MVP award once, and in the most recent one, spearheading the Tropang 5G’s comeback in the Finals-clinching win over Meralco in Game 6.

With the game looking already dead in the water for the Tropa after the Bolts erected a five-point lead with less than a minute remaining, Nambatac came to the rescue and pumped life to TNT’s fight with a booming four pointer.

That shot was followed by a steal and a layup from Jordan Heading who put the Tropang 5G on the lead for good.

For Nambatac, marching back into the finals meant a chance of continuously proving himself.

“Thankful ako, grateful na rin, at the same time. And, ito yun, ito na yung chance ko, na parang, I have to prove, sa mga, taong may mga na-doubt sakin,” said the veteran guard.

“And of course, (para) sa mga fans din, sa mga friends ko na, talagang, hindi sila sumuko na maniwala sila sakin. So, itong fourth straight finals appearance ko, para sa mga taong naniwala sakin,” he added.

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