“My concern is our fatigue”: Rey Nambatac wants TNT to work on their stamina ahead of Game 4

Just when it appeared that TNT had finally seized control of the night, CJ Perez made it clear that the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup Finals still ran through him.

In a gripping Game 3 that swung sharply from quarter to quarter, Perez delivered a ruthless closing performance, erupting for 17 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter to carry San Miguel Beer to a 95–89 victory over TNT before a raucous Sunday crowd at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. The win pushed the Beermen to a 2–1 lead in the best-of-seven championship series and once again highlighted their ability to execute under pressure.

Perez was relentless down the stretch, attacking the defense, finishing through contact, and knocking down timely baskets as San Miguel erased TNT’s late advantage. His fourth-quarter takeover flipped the momentum of the game and underscored why he remains one of the most feared closers in the league.

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Despite falling behind in the series, TNT guard Rey Nambatac expressed confidence that the Tropang Giga can still rebound and reclaim control of the Finals. However, he did not shy away from identifying fatigue as a growing concern for his team, particularly in high-pressure moments late in games.

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Rey Nambatac shows ice in his veins after draining a crucial triple to regain the lead in the fourth quarter against the San Miguel Beermen in Game 3 of the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup Finals!#PBA50 #PBA50LID #PBAFinals pic.twitter.com/C29DqA7UTO

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“For me, we only need to adjust a little because our coaches have laid out the plans. My concern is our fatigue. We couldn’t take care of the lead and when we try to protect our lead, the tendency is we get tired and we lose our advantage,” Nambatac said after the game.

The physical toll of the contest was evident in the closing minutes, especially for TNT’s frontline. Star big man Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser showed clear signs of exhaustion after logging more than 40 minutes of action. While he still produced a solid double-double of 15 points and 13 rebounds, his fatigue late in the game limited TNT’s ability to match San Miguel’s intensity and execution when it mattered most.

As the Beermen ramped up their defensive pressure and pace in the final period, TNT struggled to generate quality looks and secure crucial stops, allowing San Miguel to dictate the tempo down the stretch.

With little room for error moving forward, Nambatac emphasized the need for improved stamina and conditioning as the series progresses. Facing a must-win situation, TNT knows it cannot afford another late-game fade.

“In this next game or our next practice, we need to prepare more on stamina and our conditioning,” he added.

The Finals now shift to a pivotal stretch, with TNT looking to even the series and San Miguel aiming to tighten its grip on the championship. Game 4 of the Philippine Cup Finals between the two teams is scheduled for Wednesday, January 28, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, where intensity, execution, and endurance are once again expected to decide the outcome.

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