THERE were a lot of expectations—and comparisons—to TNT gunner Mikey Williams when flamboyant playmaker Rey Nambatac arrived at the Tropang Giga camp last July.
The prolific William was a key cog in the Tropang Giga’s last two titles in the PBA Philippine Cup in the Bacolor bubble three years ago and in last year’s Governors’ Cup, both winning finals MVP plums.
In only his first conference with the Chot Reyes-mentored squad, the 5-foot-9 Nambatac is fast proving his worth in TNT’s bid to retain the title opposite equally formidable Ginebra.
But the former Letran standout insisted he and Williams, who is still locked in contract impasse with the Tropang Giga, are of different calibers.
“Para matigil na iyong comparison na iyan, malayo talaga ako sa kanya,” Nambatac said.
“Mikey is a legit scorer. Kahit anong defensive schemes ang gawin mo sa kanya, nagagawan niya ng paraan,” he added.
TNT battled the Kings in Game 2 of their best-of-7 finals clash at press time last night, raring to zoom to a 2-0 lead.
Nambatac, 30, is seeking to win a maiden diadem in the pro league since he was tabbed 11th overall by Rain or Shine in the Draft seven years ago.
He said his role now with the Tropang Giga is to at least make up half of what Williams has done for the team in the past.
“Ang role ko noong napunta na ako sa TNT, at least 50 percent noong ginagawa ni Mikey, iyon ang magagawa ko sa team na ito,” Nambatac said.
“Iyong another 50, pagtutulung-tulungan na lang namin ng mga kasama ko. Iyon talaga ang role ko.”
Nambatac notched 18 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists in TNT’s 104-88 rout of the Kings in the opener of the Big Dance last Sunday.
Gone with the wind are the days when the lefty Nambatac was the main man when he was still with the Elasto Painters and the Blackwater Bossing.
“Ang role ko talaga dito sa TNT is to be a facilitator. Tapos na ako doon sa role ko na go-to-guy, ako iyong primary option,” he said.
“So, with TNT, masaya ako sa role ko, nahanap ko iyong saktong role sa akin.”
A change in role will be just fine for Nambatac especially if he can call himself a champion.
