Nambatac graced Loyola Cup opening

• Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cagayan-de-oro/sports/2015/11/15/nambatac-graced-loyola-cup-opening-441725
• Sunday, November 15, 2015

By Lynde Salgados

FUTURE PBA guard Rey Nambatac, a key player of newly-minted NCAA champion Letran Knights, provided inspiration on Friday’s opening of the 2015-16 St. Ignatius de Loyola Cup basketball tournament at the Xavier University gym.

The 5'10" Nambatac, who used to play with the Sacred Heart Saints before his successful stint in Manila, spoke before the basketball-loving youth, sharing positive tidbits on how to become a better athlete and a better person in general.

“Amo gayud siyang gi-invite kay nakadula pud siya kaniadto sa Loyola Cup. It’s a big factor nga makita siya sa mga kabataan nga adunay goal to succeed in their chosen field of sports someday,” tournament commissioner Arvin Martinez told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro.

Among those who listened with the crowd is Nambatac’s former Sacred Heart coach Edgardo `Boy’ Dacoco who is hopeful that the Cagayan de Oro native will hit the big time in the near future.

“Nambatac, Jalalon, Luib, Paredes ug ubay-ubay pa nga akong gipadala sa Manila nga nihimo na’g pangalan karon sa basketball. Kon suwertihon di lang ma-injured hayag na nga ma-PBA sab kini si Rey,” Dacoco said.

Close to 50 teams from all over Northern Mindanao have registered to see action in the annual Loyola Cup which also has volleyball as an added feature for this season.

Martinez said that around 30 schools from as far as Iligan, Marawi, Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental have fielded their respective teams in the 11th St. Ignatius de Loyola Cup that will last until February 28, next year.

For basketball, events on tap are the 11-under won last year by Xavier University Grade School, under-13 (U-13) and U-15 both ruled by Corpus Christi School and U-17 and U-25 to be defended by host XU Crusaders.