If TNT succeeds in its first chance to end Rain or Shine and advance to the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals, Ray Nambac could finally add one item to his bucket list.
Even if it comes at the expense of his former team, which he still holds in high esteem.
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“Rain or shine, I was never in this situation,” Nambatak said in Filipino early in the semifinal series. Tropang Giga currently leads 3-1 and is just a few steps away from shutting out the Elasto Painters with a victory. .
The two teams will square off again in Game 5 on Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
A win will give TNT some breathing room while they wait for the semifinal showdown between sister teams San Miguel Beer and Barangay Ginebra.
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And it would be a career-defining moment for Nambatak.
“The interesting thing about my PBA life is that I’ve never played in the Finals, but this is the best opportunity for me and the best way to make it a reality.” he said.
The former Letran star had eluded playing on the PBA’s biggest stage since being drafted by Rain or Shine in 2017. The southpaw guard lost all three of his semifinal appearances in the 2018 Commissioner’s Cup, 2019 Philippine Cup, and 2019 Commissioner’s Cup.
The closest Nantuck came to the finals was the 2019 Philippine Cup, where the Painters lost to Magnolia in Game 7.
He’s even closer now.
“I was really happy when I won the NLEX.” [in the quarterfinals]. It felt like a championship to me,” Nambatak said after reaching the Final Four in his first conference with TNT.
off season trade
Tropang Giga acquired Nambatuck in an offseason trade with Blackwater Bossing.
His determination to reach the finals was evident in his current play in the semifinals, where he averaged 15.8 points, shot 47% from the field, 7.3 rebounds, and 3.5 assists.
In Game 4, Nambatuck made a 3-pointer with 1:15 remaining, giving TNT a 79-76 lead. However, Rain or Shine fought back with a 3-point play by Santi Santillan and after squaring the count, a dunk by Rondae Hollis-Jefferson clinched the 81-79 victory, giving Numbattuck his first Finals win. We are one step closer to advancing.
But in his path lies former coach Yen Guiao, who has refused to raise the de facto white flag despite the precarious situation in which the Painters lost Game 4.
“Our only hope is to continue the series,” Guiao said.
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In Friday’s other game, the Beermans and Gin Kings are scheduled to break a 2-2 stalemate at 5 p.m.
The Beermen tied the series with a 131-121 victory in Game 4 on Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
