TNT guard Rey Nambatac reacts during Game 5 of the PBA semifinals against Rain or Shine.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—TNT making it past Rain or Shine in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals is one thing.
Riding into the PBA Finals without their main man Jayson Castro is a whole other challenge for the Tropang Giga and Rey Nambatac has the formula to address that concern.
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“I don’t necessarily need to fill all the gap that Jayson left behind because that’s really impossible. We need team effort. That’s what we need,” said the sweet-shooting guard after their 97-92 win over the Elasto Painters in Game 5 at Araneta Coliseum on Friday.
READ: PBA: ‘Calm’ Rondae Hollis-Jefferson leads TNT to another Finals
Rey Nambatac has some huge responsibilities ahead in the #PBAFinals for TNT. Especially, since they’re without lead guard, Jayson Castro. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/FN148f6hCq
— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) March 7, 2025
“If I can produce 10 or 12 points to make up for Jayson’s 20 in these playoffs, that’s already a big thing. The rest will be up to me and my teammates. We just want to prove that even though we don’t have Jayson, we can still compete.”
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The Tropang Giga lost Castro for the season when he tore his right patellar tendon in Game 2 of the semis.
Since then, Nambatac has assumed the position of lead floor general for TNT and it’s done numerous wonders, one of which is pushing the Tropang Giga to its second straight Finals appearance.
The former Elasto Painter helped Tropang Giga shut the door on his former team with 12 points, eight assists, four rebounds and two steals in 35 minutes off the bench.
READ: PBA: TNT books Finals berth, closes out Rain or Shine
It wasn’t easy for Nambatac to find his footing as TNT’s main guard, though.
“It’s a big factor that we lost Kuya Jayson. My output in this series was very low because I was really pressured but I realized that if I take that pressure as positive motivation, a lot of good can happen. That’s what I did.”
Nambatac is expected to do more in the backcourt for the Tropang Giga against either Ginebra or Northport in a best-of-seven title series.
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