MANILA — Rey Nambatac stepped into the spotlight on Friday night, leading TNT to an 87-83 overtime victory over Barangay Ginebra to capture the Commissioner’s Cup title. The thrilling game, which unfolded before a crowd of 22,361 fans at Smart Araneta Coliseum, saw Nambatac score 22 points and dish out four assists in a standout performance.
Despite playing a supporting role in his first PBA championship victory with TNT in the previous conference, Nambatac was thrust into the leadership role this time after veteran Jayson Castro was sidelined with a season-ending knee injury. The guard’s poise and drive earned him the PBA Press Corps’ Finals MVP award, as he stepped up to fill the void left by Castro’s absence.
“I’m just motivated because of Jayson,” Nambatac said after posting impressive series averages of 17.9 points, 3.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.0 steals.
For his part, TNT coach Chot Reyes said, “They showed a lot of heart down the stretch.”
“Even after that first-half struggle, they never wavered. They picked it up when it mattered most,” Reyes added, his voice filled with pride.
The Finals series saw TNT battle through adversity, with Rondae Hollis-Jefferson playing through injury, and Glenn Khobuntin providing key contributions in both regulation and overtime.
This victory marked the third consecutive time TNT defeated Ginebra in a major series, solidifying their championship pedigree and highlighting Nambatac’s rise to the occasion in a crucial moment.
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