REY Nambatac turned in quite a performance in Rain or Shine's 116-97 victory over Blackwater on Friday at Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
The crafty playmaker finished with 21 points to lead all of the Painters' locals and rebound from an ill-advised attempt late in the club's narrow 102-101 loss to Converge last Nov. 13.
"As I've said in the earlier interview, it was true," he said in Filipino. "I've been so embarrassed with myself. I can't sleep for days."
"This is the best way for me to bounce back and, in a way, lessen my frustrations at myself, [and to make up for my] teammates, and especially coach Yeng (Guiao).
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"During that game, that day, I talked to him about it, told him about other ways to go about it," Guiao said of Nambatac's try at a triple, when the Painters just needed a two-point field goal to tie the game against the FiberXers.
"After that, I've gotten over it. But of course, things like that stick when it comes to players," he went on.
Guiao was glad to see Nambatac redeem himself. But the tough-talking mentor is more delighted that it happened at a critical juncture for Rain or Shine, sharing joint 7th with Phoenix with a 5-6 record.
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"It's really important for (Rey) to get the rhythm of his game back. It's important for him to regain his confidence. It's important that he becomes wholehearted for [games] when we're going to turn to him," Guiao said.
"It's nice that all that is getting back (to Rey). We need those in the game against Magnolia," he added.
The Painters can tighten the noose on a quarterfinals berth in a key clash with the 8-2 Hotshots on Dec. 2 also at the refurbished venue, formerly called Ultra.
"If we're lucky, we're going to figure in a playoff," Guiao said. "Or we could also make it to the next round. And in those (scenarios), Rey's role is important." (DD)
