ILOCOS SUR – Rey Nambatac turned from invisible to invaluable, erupting in the final minutes to lift TNT Tropang 5G past a surging Converge FiberXers, 110-103, in their PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup road clash Saturday night at the Chavit Arena.
Scoreless for most of the match, Nambatac caught fire at the most crucial juncture, firing eight straight points—including two four-point plays and two free throws—that shattered a 90-all deadlock and ignited TNT’s finishing burst.
“After missing my first few shots, I just stayed patient and waited for my opportunity. When it came, I just trusted my teammates and took the shots,” Nambatac said.
His heroics capped a spirited recovery for the Tropang 5G, who were reeling from a 77-92 loss to Barangay Ginebra. Roger Pogoy led the charge with 27 points built on six triples, while Calvin Oftana added 16—all in the first half. Veterans Kelly Williams and Brian Ganuelas-Rosser each had 14 markers as TNT improved to 2-1.
Nambatac’s outburst also preserved the early offensive onslaught that gave TNT a 14-point halftime cushion, courtesy of its 10-of-23 three-point shooting compared to Converge’s 4-of-11.
The FiberXers mounted a furious second-half rally behind Justine Baltazar and rookie Juan Gomez de Liano, who combined to erase the deficit and tie the game at 90-all with four minutes left. But Nambatac’s clutch display and late triples from Pogoy and Williams doused Converge’s uprising.
Alec Stockton and Justin Arana led Converge’s balanced scoring with 19 points apiece, while Baltazar and Schonny Winston each tallied 17. Gomez de Liano contributed 14 as the FiberXers dropped to 1-1./PN
BOX SCORE:
TNT 110 – Pogoy 27, Oftana 16, Williams 14, Ganuelas-Rosser 14, Nambatac 10, Enciso 9, Ferrer 8, Galinato 8, Aurin 2.
CONVERGE 103 – Stockton 19, Arana 19, Baltazar 17, Winston 17, Gomez de Liano 14, Delos Santos 6, Racal 6, Caralipio 3.
Quarters: 22-18, 53-42, 82-72, 110-103.
