Quiñahan on 3×3 World Cup stint: It was intense
Cubao, Quezon City — NLEX’s Cebuano big man JR Quiñahan admitted that he was surprised with the level of physicality in the Fiba 3×3 World Cup last June.
Quiñahan told Cebu Daily News that the body-banging was different from the PBA.
“In the World Cup, it was different,” Quiñahan said in Cebuano, “The physicality was very intense. You can’t compare it to the PBA. It was so physical that you can’t even predict when the referee was going to call a foul.”
The 33-year-old Quiñahan was among the four-man lineup that the Philippines sent to the tournament held in Nantes, France. He was the oldest in a pool of young prospects in the likes of Kobe Paras, Kiefer Ravena and Jeron Teng.
His six-foot-six-wide physique and soft touch was all that was needed for the former University of Visayas Green Lancer to earn his place in the lineup that eventually finished 11th place in the tournament.
Feeling proud
He said it was coach Eric Altamirano who phoned him up to join the team, and considering the opportunity, he didn’t hesitate.
“I felt so proud. We just enjoyed ourselves out there and gave our all our best for the country. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I was even surprised that they picked me considering my age,” he added.
Quiñahan was not just the hard-nosed muscle down low for Chooks Pilipinas. He was also the veteran who was sharing his 3×3 experience to his young teammates.
It can be recalled that 15 years ago, he saw action in the Adidas Streetball tournament.
Quiñahan is part of the NLEX Road Warriors in the PBA. The team currently leads the standings with a 4–0 win-loss slate.
NLEX takes on Brgy. Ginebra next on August 5.
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