TNT guard Rey Nambatac in Game 6 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals against Barangay Ginebra. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—As if a 2-3 deficit in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals wasn’t motivation enough, TNT guard Rey Nambatac found more reasons play all out in their do-or-die Game 6 against Ginebra.
Behind the valiant efforts of Nambatac–among others–TNT defeated the Gin Kings, 87-83, to stay alive and force a sudden death Game 7.
HIGHLIGHTS: PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals – Ginebra vs TNT Game 6
The shifty guard and the rest of the team can thank veteran Jayson Castro for that shot in the arm.
“When Kuya Jayson went to our practice yesterday, it was already an added motivation for us,” said Nambatac.
TNT Tropang Giga in Game 6 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
“Even if he wasn’t here in our past few games, we still felt his presence, especially yesterday in practice.”
Nambatac has said time and time again since Castro’s injury in the semifinals that it will take more than him to fill the shoes of the Gilas Pilipinas legend.
READ: PBA Finals: TNT escapes Ginebra in thriller, forces Game 7
But in TNT’s most important game of the tournament, Nambatac channeled his inner Castro and did some heavy lifting to push the best-of-seven series to a do-or-die rubber match.
The Letran product came away with 23 points, five rebounds, three steals and an assist with Castro, still walking gingerly as he recovers from a knee injury, in the audience.
But Nambatac didn’t have to do it alone with Rondae Hollis Jefferson and even Poy Erram–who has been hounded by temper issues the past few games–coming to TNT’s rescue.
SUPORTANG GIGA 🥹
WATCH: Jayson Castro heads to the TNT bench to support his Tropang Giga in Game 6 of the #PBAFinals.
Castro is currently dealing with a torn patellar tendon, which is the reason for him being sidelined in these playoffs. | @MeloFuertesINQ pic.twitter.com/nDVLvqJidn
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) March 26, 2025
“He gave us some pieces of advice, especially for the veterans, which is what we applied in this game,” said Nambatac.
Nambatac and TNT take on the Gin Kings in Game 7 for all the marbles at the same venue.
