Cold-blooded Rey Nambatac carries Rain or Shine past San Miguel

Rey Nambatac converted an off-balanced shot which allowed the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters to scuttle the San Miguel Beermen, 95-93, in the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup at the Don Honorio Ventura State University Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.

With 12.5 seconds left on the game clock, Rain or Shine ran a sideline out-of-bounds play that led to the go-ahead basket by the 27-year-old guard out of Letran.

The Elasto Painters currently occupy 5th place in the Philippine Cup rankings with 6 wins and 4 losses.

Leonard Santillan paced Rain or Shine with 21 points on 78% shooting from the field while Javee Mocon posted a double-double with 18 points and 12 rebounds. Anton Assistio added 11 points, 7 assists and 2 steals.

Rain or Shine coach Chris Gavina said in an interview that he designed the play for Nambatac.

“I’d already designed a play where (Rey Nambatac) would get the ball either at the top of the key, or if we got it to the post, it was gonna be a handoff to him.” said Gavina.

“Rey’s playmaking, that was on him. I got him the ball and he was the one who was able to go with his instincts and make the game-winning basket for us.” he added.

San Miguel had a chance to climb to 2nd place at the standings but they couldn’t snatch the victory away from Rain or Shine.

Terrence Romeo registered 20 points on 6-of-17 shooting to go along with 6 assists and 3 steals while CJ Perez and Arwind Santos racked up 18 points apiece. Moala Tautuaa tallied 11 points and 3 boards for the Beermen.

Despite the defeat, the Leo Austria-mentored squad remain on the playoff picture with 5 wins and 3 defeats.

The scores:

Rain or Shine 95 – Santillan 21, Mocon 18, Asistio 11, Belga 9, Yap 9, Nambatac 9, Caracut 7, Torres 4, Norwood 3, Ponferada 2, Guinto 2, Wong 0, Tolentino 0, Borboran 0.

San Miguel 93 – Romeo 20, Santos 18, Perez 18, Tautuaa 13, Lassiter 11, Fajardo 8, Pessumal 3, Ross 2, Gamalinda 0, Gotladera 0.

Quarterscores: 16-27, 41-51, 72-69, 95-93.