WILL it just be a stopover?
That’s the burning question surrounding the pro league after Rain or Shine shipped gunner Rey Nambatac to Blackwater in a deal that got the green light from PBA chief Willie Marcial yesterday.
In exchange for the flamboyant lefty guard, the Elasto Painters received a first-round pick which they acquired from TNT.
Nambatac, a former Letran standout, emerged as a hot topic of numerous trade rumors with the Tropang Giga.
It’s still not clear, however, if Nambatac would still be traded to another team although the Bossing are on the lookout for a playmaker following the departure of Baser Amer and the injury sustained by JVee Casio.
The move ended Nambatac’s stint with Rain or Shine, which tabbed him seventh overall in the 2017 draft.
He has become one of the key cogs of the Elasto Painters, especially during the time of former coaches Chris Gavina and Caloy Garcia.
Although still logging big minutes off the bench for the Painters, Nambatac’s impact dropped due to tactician Yeng Guiao’s system of giving equal opportunities to his charges.
Nambatac normed 8.45 points, 2.45 rebounds and 2.45 assists through 17 minutes of playing time in the Commissioner’s Cup.
The move was the latest for Blackwater after they wound up tied for last place in the season-opening tourney with a 1-10 record.
The Bossing also signed veteran and former two-time league MVP James Yap to a one-year deal after getting his release papers from the Painters.
