By REYNALD MAGALLON
Rey Nambatac quickly made his presence felt in his first game back, steering TNT to a dominant 93-78 victory over Phoenix to open its campaign in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup at the Ynares Center in Montalban on Friday, Oct. 10.
Back in the pink of health after missing most of the last All-Filipino conference, Nambatac presided over a strong second half showing for the Tropang 5G who pulled away from a tight affair through the first two quarters.
The veteran guard showed the way with 22 points – 13 of which he poured in the last two quarters where TNT led by as many as 16, 81-65, after only leading by three, 45-42, at the break.
Playing his first game since May 11, Nambatac shot 9-of-14 from the field and added six rebounds, three assists and a steal to his statline.
Calvin Oftana chipped in 15 points and nine rebounds while new Tropa Kevin Ferrer added 12. Simon Enciso also contributed 12 spiked by four triples, typifying the teams hot-shooting that saw TNT nailed 15 treys.
Meanwhile, Blackwater also opened the season in style , routing Terrafirma, 107-87, at the same venue.
Considered by coaches as one of the dark horses of the season, the Bossing lived up to the expectations with Christian David, RK Ilagan and Dalph Panopio all delivering the goods.
Protecting a seven-point lead, 50-43, early in the third frame, Blackwater stepped its foot on the gas pedal and unloaded a 15-3 run to establish a double-digit spread which it never relinquished until the final horn.
David fired 24 – 14 of which he fired in the opening frame to go with his seven rebounds and two steals. Ilagan had 13 of his 22 points in the final frame that went with 10 rebounds and four steals.
Panopio also had a solid debut of 13 points, six rebounds and four assists while Abu Tratter added 12 points and eight rebounds for Blackwater which still missed the services of ace guard Sedrick Barefield.
