PRIZED Blackwater acquisition Rey Nambatac celebrated in frenzy after booming in a three-pointer early in the fourth quarter against Meralco last night–screaming his heart’s out, his eyes glowing.
With Nambatac showing the way, the Bossing carved out a thrilling 96-93 decision over the hard-fighting Bolts in the match that kicked off the PBA Philippine Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
In the face of Meralco’s furious fourth quarter fightback, the flashy 5-foot-11 Nambatac, who Blackwater got from Rain or Shine for two future draft picks, gamely took the leather, attacked the Bolts’ defense, and drew a foul from his former Letran teammate Bong Quinto.
Nambatac calmly knocked down two pressure-packed free throws that pegged the final count with 19 seconds left after Meralco threatened at 93-94 on an Allein Maliksi trey.
The Bolts still had a chance to force overtime but Maliksi misfired on a triple try that put the game to bed after the new-look Bossing nearly squandered a 19-point lead in the fourth canto.
This early, Blackwater coach Jeffrey Cariaso is looking at the aspects of his charges’ game they need to work on, like poise.
“We were able to maintain our lead but just enough but again you can expect that from a veteran team like Meralco. They’re gonna come back, they have the players, the experience to handle situations like that,” Cariaso said. “I think we’re gonna look back at that fourth quarter where we kept losing the lead.
“That’s where we have to be better–that’s where we have to improve. We were able to get up and get that lead but to give it away so easily,” he added.
Nambatac scattered 27 points laced with a career-high 10 assists, to go with five rebounds for the Bossing, who also drew 15 markers, four boards, and two dimes from Troy Rosario.
Rey Suerte and Tyrus Hill also had 11 and 10 points, respectively, while former two-time MVP James Yap finished with five in his debut for Blackwater.
The Bossing held a 43-41 buffer at the break and pushed it to 72-62 heading into the final stanza.
Blackwater broke the game wide open and took an 86-67 spread on Nambatac’s two charities at the 7:58 mark of the fourth.
The likes of Maliksi, Chris Newsome, Cliff Hodge, and Aaron Black tried with all their might to lead the Bolts’ final push that just fell short.
Maliksi paced Meralco with 27 points on five treys, while Newsome added 16 markers, seven caroms, and six feeds.
Black, Raymar Jose, and Jolo Mendoza also got 10 points each for the Bolts.
