Big man’s big move
Quiñahan’s 2016 spiked by moving to new team, deciding to be healthy
WHEN he learned the news that he will be shipped to GlobalPort Batang Pier for Jay Washington last September, Cebuano banger Joseph Ronald Quiñahan said he felt uncertain about having to leave Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, his home for five seasons, and the team that uncovered his full potential.
Three weeks of speculations ended when GlobalPort signed him to a two-year maximum deal last October. As it turns out, it was a huge deal for Quiñahan as it was a deal that the Elasto Painters could not afford to give him. It was the main reason he was traded for Washington, one of his bitter rivals during their amateur days in the now defunct Philippine Basketball League.
Quiñahan’s worries, however, did not stop there. His next concern is if he will be an asset to the new team.
Thankfully, GlobalPort’s new head coach Franz Pumaren already has plans for the former University of the Visayas Green Lancers center.
Lose weight “During one of our practices before the season opening, I was taken out of the game and was not put back in. Coach Franz then came up to me and said, ‘Look at how erratic and lost your teammates are when you’re not inside the court. That is why, I want you to lose more weight so that you can guide your teammates,” Quiñahan told Sun. Star Cebu yesterday.
This was when it hit him, the game had changed. When before, size was all that mattered for a center like him, right now, one’s ability to move and one’s athleticism are huge factors to being an effective center.
It was Pumaren’s statement that gave Quiñahan the courage to push himself.
“I am now two months into a diet. They put me on a no carbs diet— no rice, no pasta, no bread. But I eat a small amount of rice before games. I eat about three or four tablespoons of rice and that’s it. Lipong pod ko pag sugod oy. Pero karon anad na.”
Quiñahan added that losing weight is a must to keep up with a faster generation of cagers and most importantly, to keep playing a game he is passionate about.
“Kinahanglan gyud buhaton para maka-sabay sa mga batanon (teammates). Lahi na karon sa PBA, dili na pabug-atay, dinaganay na. Dili na mahimo to sauna nga dako, estrikto na kaayo rules karon. Gamay hikap foul dayon. Importante lang ligon imong tiil in case of physical plays,” Quiñahan added.
Last Dec. 11, Quiñahan played 36 minutes against Barangay Ginebra Kings, where he scored 15 points, grabbed nine rebounds, dished out two assists and two steals in GlobalPort’s 91-84 win over the PBA’s crowd favourite.
The 36 minutes, Quiñahan recalled, were the longest playing time of his PBA career that started in 2007.
“Coach Franz told me to remind my teammates of what we are going to do inside the court. Because sometimes, (my teammates) often forget what to do. But right now, I am just happy that I was able to help GlobalPort win games,” said the nine-year PBA veteran from Mandaue City.
Right now, Quiñahan’s road to a fitter body is just one of the things he must take as he also tries to build up this young team.
After four games with the Batang Pier, Quiñahan averaged 11.5 points, 9.25 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in 30.25 minutes of play.
As for his fitness, Quiñahan also happily reports that he will end the year with good news.
Quiñahan has now lost about 20 pounds.
“I am looking to be 215 pounds. Right now, I’m almost there because I’m already 223. I spend more time at the gym even if our practices are cancelled,” he explained.
By 2017, Cebu basketball fans may be able to witness a fitter Quiñahan as he looks forward to playing before the Cebuano crowd on Jan. 21 in the Lapu-Lapu Hoops Dome against defending champions San Miguel Beermen.
It has been five years since Quiñahan played an official PBA game in Cebu.
That game will also be the first official match for Junemar Fajardo’s here since turning pro.