Rey Nambatac is looking to guide Colegio de San Juan de Letran all the way through its grueling battle back to the Final Four as a newly crowned PBA champion.
After a seven-year journey in the PBA, the 30-year-old guard claimed his first-ever chip in the big league after helping TNT retain its title against Barangay Ginebra in the Governors’ Cup on Friday.
Despite having his hands full with commitments as a pro player, Nambatac managed to find a way back to his roots in the NCAA as the Knights’ assistant coach.
With PBA's first conference now over, Nambatac is expected to make the most of his time actively coaching Letran in the game venues.
And with the stakes higher than ever this season, Letran did not disappoint before Nambatac as it fashioned a hard-fought 75-71 victory no less against archrival San Beda University and avoided elimination from the semifinal race with an 8-9 card on Sunday.
“Ako ata ‘yung suwerte,” Nambatac said in jest.
“Alam ko kasi na must-win 'tong game na 'to. Kailangan din ng motivation ng mga bata. So kahit medyo busy sa mga guesting kasi champion nga, gumawa talaga ako ng way para makapunta sa game na 'to. Kasi badly needed to eh. Alam ko ‘yung mga bata pag nandiyan ako namo-motivate rin sila eh. So ‘yun ‘yung priority ko, i-guide at i-motivate sila. Nag-work naman ‘yung mga sinabi ko sa mga bata,” he detailed.
With only one remaining game left in the elimination round, Nambatac wanted to translate his recent championship experience into a convincing comeback for the Knights, who missed Final Four action last season.
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“As much as may time ako, ‘yung Letran pinupuntahan ko. Crucial ‘yung mga remaining games starting with San Beda. Whatever happens naka-support ako sa kanila. As a coach and as one of the assistant coaches, ‘yung role ko talaga is i-motivate ‘yung mga players, and to guide them also, para at least sa laro kaunting polish na lang ‘yung gawin nila,” said Nambatac.
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“Pinapa-handle niya [head coach Allen Ricardo] sa akin ‘yung mga guards namin. Especially our offense and their the decision-making skills. Binigay niyang trabaho sa akin ‘yun and crucial rin ‘yun sa part ko. Kasi kung wala kang decision-making skills sa court eventually, ang magsa-suffer ‘yung team eh,” he detailed.
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The Knights are set to close out their elimination round campaign against Arellano University on Wednesday.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
