PBA: Rain or Shine escapes ‘double Rey’ problem to beat Blackwater

Blackwater Bossing’s Rey Nambatac dishes it out Rey Suerte in a PBA Philippine Cup game against Rain or Shine. –PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines—Rain or Shine subdued not one, but two huge performances from two Reys in the PBA Philippine Cup at Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Saturday.

In the Elasto Painters’ 110-103 victory over Blackwater, Rey Nambatac and Rey Suerte both starred for the Bossing which gave coach Yeng Guiao all sorts of headache.

“We knew that Rey (Nambatac) would be a problem. It’s natural to play motivated and really well against your former team and he really played well. He gave us a problem so it’s a good thing that he fouled out,” said Guiao in Filipino.

READ: PBA: Rain or Shine wins third straight, tops Blackwater

Nambatac fouled out of the game in the fourth quarter during the most crucial minutes of the payoff period, not allowing Blackwater to make a rally.

But before he was ejected, the Letran product finished with 13 points, three rebounds and two assists.

Blackwater Bossing’s Rey Suerte in a PBA Philippine Cup game against Rain or Shine. –PBA IMAGES

The other Rey, meanwhile, had a better performance, which also earned the praise of the long-time coach.

“Then there was one more Rey in Rey Suerte. He gave us a problem as well,” said Guiao.

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“Wala talagang malas na laro si Rey Suerte. Suerte palagi,” added Guiao in jest, referring to Suerte’s nickname which is translated as “lucky” in English. (There’s really no bad game with Rey Suerte. He’s always lucky.)

Suerte waxed hot from the field, missing only two of his ten shots for 20 points but it still wasn’t enough to pull the Bossing out of their three-game losing streak.

Even Leonard Santillan, who notched Best Player of the Game honors with 28 points and seven rebounds, had to laud the efforts of “the double Reys.”

“Those two Reys, I’ve known them for a long time already. I know in myself that they know how to win. They’re eager to win so we didn’t allow that to happen. We did everything to get this win.”