DESPITE the Rain or Shine's heart-breaking 87-89 loss to San Miguel on Saturday, July 13, hometown hero Rey Nambatac Jr. is thankful to the local fans for supporting them on and off the court.
The rising SoS playmaker Nambatac, who scored 11 points, made special thanks to the Green CdeO Eagles Club (GCEC) of which he and his father, Rey Nambatac Sr. are both bonafide club members.
"Salamat kaayo mga kuya pag suporta sa among game," posted "Stingrey" Nambatac in the NMR-1 Eagles' popular website Basketbolista.
"Daghan pa panahon makabalik sa CdeO kuya. Gudlak and amping sa team," replied fellow GCEC Charlie Butron.
Green CdeO Eagles Club president Ulysses Romulo observed that the Elasto Painters had "many" chances to win the game, though crucial baskets did not just fall in the homestretch.
"Kadtong lay-up sa import ug 3-point attempt ni Kuya Stingrey. Pero ana gyod ang basketball. Better luck next time," Romulo said.
San Miguel formally gained a quarterfinals berth in the PBA Commissioners Cup with their 89-87 victory at jampacked the Xavier University gym.
The Beermen improved at 5-5 overall and became the seventh team to make the quarterfinals of the mid-season conference after surviving a 5-0 RoS run inside the final minute to register its third straight win.
The loss snapped the Elasto Painters' two-game win streak, although the team is already assured of a seat in the quarterfinals behind its 5-6 record.
Import Chris McCullough and five-time MVP June Mar Fajardo accounted for the Beermen's final 11 points in the Petron Blaze Saturday Special.
McCullough had 24 points, 17 rebounds, and four assists. Fajardo added 23 markers and 15 boards as SMB remained unbeaten in three games since replacing former Best Import Charles Rhodes.