For his stellar play and for filling the void left by an injured star, TNT guard Rey Nambatac was awarded the Honda-PBA Press Corps Finals Most Valuable Player on Friday night.

Nambatac hit the milestone after averaging 17.8 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 3.4 assists through seven grueling games of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup championship series against Barangay Ginebra.

LIVE: PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals – Ginebra vs TNT Game 7

An off-season pickup from a trade with Blackwater last year, Nambatac fit in right away with Tropang Giga. His steady playmaking and production off the bench gave the telco club an added dimension in its run-up to the Governors’ Cup championship this season.

What a moment for Stingrey, powering TNT sans lead guard Jayson Castro. #PBAFinals | @MeloFuertesINQ pic.twitter.com/p0OUOtB6MV

— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) March 28, 2025

He did just that once again this midseason tournament, and then ably raised his game when Jayson Casto was shut down following a knee tendon tear during the semifinal showdown against Rain or Shine.

READ: TNT conquers Ginebra in Game 7 classic to win 11th PBA title

Before Friday night, Namatac’s finest games were in Games 3 and 6, backstopping resident import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson in those two victories.

He had 22 points, two rebounds, and four assists in the overtime 87-83 Game 7 triumph at Smart Araneta Coliseum, cementing his place in the TNT roster ahead of the club’s bid for a historic treble.