Bigger role awaits Nambatac

All eyes will be on guard Rey Nambatac as he tries to plug the hole left by injured veteran Jayson Castro when TNT Tropang Giga goes up against tough rival Barangay Ginebra in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup finals starting Friday.

Thrust into a bigger role in his second straight championship appearance since his transfer to the Tropang Giga before the start of the season, Nambatac will have to be on top of his game to replicate the franchise’s feat in the Governors’ Cup sans Castro.

Nambatac had to up his play in the last two games of the semifinals to help TNT eliminate Rain or Shine and advance to a best-of-seven finals rematch against the Kings.

The 31-year-old cager, who was traded by Blackwater last year, averaged 12 points, five rebounds and five assists while chipping in the intangibles in the final two games against the Elasto Painters.

He played better since averaging 3.0 points, 3.5 assists and 2.5 boards in the first three games of the semis.

Nambatac had to, as Castro sustained a season-ending ruptured patellar tendon in Game 2.

“I’m shocked when Kuya Jayson went down with an injury. I admit I felt pressured. But at least in a way, I kind of overcame that pressure,” Nambatac said during the championship presser held Monday at the Kamay Kainan in Quezon City.

The Letran College product admitted that seeing Castro suffer an unfortunate injury affected his game.

“I realized instead of allowing my morale to go down, why not use it as motivation? I try to see it positively as something to fuel my drive to bring out my real game and contribute more to our team,” Nambatac added.

With the Governors’ Cup Finals Most Valuable Player out, Nambatac will take over the backcourt matchup against Ginebra’s top rookie RJ Abarrientos.

Castro got the freshman’s number in their previous finals match. Now it’s Nambatac’s turn to test his mettle against the talented Kings freshman.

“I look forward to going up against RJ. Even in the last conference I see him as a rookie-veteran. He’s a great player and I learn more whenever I go up against him,” he said.

While Nambatac is filling the spot of Castro, head coach Chot Reyes knows there’s no replacing his prized court leader.

It will take the collective effort of his team to hold the fort in the absence of Castro.

“I’ve said this before I don’t think anyone can fill in the shoes of Jayson. So, we’re just asking all the other players to give in a little bit more and try to contribute a little more than what they usually do so that we can all try and make up for Jayson’s loss,” he said.

“The best we can do really is to hope that the effort of the others is enough to cover for Jayson not being here with us.”