Rey Nambatac’s loyalty got rewarded as Rain or Shine signed him to a two-year extension that will lock him up in the Philippine Basketball Association until 2026.
Elasto Painters coach Yeng Guiao said the management expressed its gratitude to his loyalty when it extended his contract despite still having one year and a half from a previous maximum deal that he signed in 2021.
Nambatac has been serving as one of the leaders of the team, averaging over 13 points in the previous PBA season.
In the ongoing PBA On Tour, the former Letran College star is pacing the team as he averages 15.2 points, 3.2 rebounds and 4.4 assists in five matches.
“It’s a tribute to the management’s desire of rewarding Rey for the kind of player that he is, on and off the court,” Guiao said in a telephone conversation, adding that Nambatac is being groomed to become the leader of the team.
Over the past few years, the PBA had lost some marquee players to various leagues around Asia, especially the Japan B. League.
Guiao, who used to coach NLEX, experienced it first-hand when his star player, Kiefer Ravena, packed his bags for Japan despite still having a three-year maximum deal with the Road Warriors.
Other PBA players who left for better opportunities abroad were Ray Parks, Matthew Wright, Greg Slaughter, Roosevelt Adams and just recently, Robert Bolick.
But more than the management’s trust, Guiao was even more impressed by the player’s willingness to stay on with the Elasto Painters and continue his PBA career.
