JR Quinahan is a known toughie on the court, usually making life difficult for his opponents with his former 'Extra Rice' partner Beau Belga.
However, few people know about Quinahan's compassionate side, which was evident last Tuesday when raging flood waters devastated much of Cebu and Mandaue cities, leaving many homes destroyed, including his.
Shortly after bringing his family to higher ground near the entrance of Agro Macro Subdivision in Mandaue City, Quinahan no longer bothered to salvage his family's valuables at home and instead used his 6-6, 235-pound frame to save others, including his employees and neighbors.
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“Wala, di ko na inisip na sagipin gamit ko, kasi una kong inisip yung mga tauhan ko at kapitbahay ko. If hindi ko sila tutulungan baka mapahamak, sobrang bilis ng baha, seconds lang napakataas na,” said Quinahan when asked why he wasn’t able to salvage his belongings.
“Nung naihatid ko na pamilya ko sa guard house ng village namin, mataas dun eh, binalikan ko mga tauhan ko sa adobohan ko," the former Rain or Shine bruiser continued, referring to his popular Adonohan ni Quinahan fastfood kiosk.
"Tapos, sabi ko sa mga tauhan ko na may edad na, 'Balikan natin 'yung mga kapitbahay natin’, ayun nagpabalik-balik kami,” he said.
By then, Quinahan said flood water in their village had reached waist level. "Pasigaw-sigaw ako sa mga kapitbahay namin para sa mga [may] kailangan ng tulong."
Quinahan was able to bring his car to safety just in time, but his motorcycles were swallowed by the raging flood. But the MPBL player told SPIN.ph that he never had any intention of prioritizing his properties over the lives of his neighbors.
Quinahan bared that he was able to bring to two kids to safety - a one year old and a three-month-old baby, and a number of elderlies.
“Bakit uunahin ko gamit namin eh madali naman yan mapundar. Yung mga buhay ang una naming binalikan ng ibang tauhan ko. Kami ni Batoy, malalaki kami, kaya kami nakailang balik sa baha kahit malakas na current,” he said.
“Sabi ko sa sarili ko, sa laki kong to, kung di ko gagamitin para sumagip ng buhay, habambuhay ko 'yung pagsisihan,” said the former University of the Visayas Green Lancer.
“Sobrang lakas ng daloy ng tubig nun pero sabi ko, bahala na, kesa mapahamak mga kapitbahay namin lalo na yung mga walang second floor," he said. "Kaya nung nakakita ako ng drum na lumulutang, kinuha ko, dun ko sinakay ibang ni-rescue namin. Tapos hila-hila namin,” he added.
Belongings lost
After the great flood comes the arduous and painful task of salvaging whatever is left of their belongings.
“Ubos lahat ng gamit ko. Inanod. Ang natira lang yung mga nasa ibabaw ng cabinet, pero yun naman yung hindi naming madalas gamitin,” he said.
“Yung mga damit na natira sa bahay na nakakalat sa baha, pinalalabhan namin, tinitignan ko kung pwede pang gamitin. Pero matindi ang mantsa at putik. Tingin ko malabo na rin,” added the 41-year-old Cebu Greats forward in the MPBL.
Asked if he has already received help from former teammates and bosses after his video went viral, Quinahan confirmed that he has been deluged with financial support through his GCash and bank accounts.
“Oo ang daming tumulong sa kin. Pero hindi ko naman yun sasarilihin. Itatayo ko lang ng basic 'yung bahay ko at ilang gamit namin then ishe-hsare ko rin sa mga tauhan ko at kapitbahay,” he said.
“Yung dalawang tauhan ko kasi working students, yung bahay nila nagiba rin sa may bundok sa Busay. So, sila una kong tutulungan,” added the two-time PBA champion.
And how does he plan to pick up the pieces after the devastating incident?
“Laro-laro lang ulit. Sana may mga makuha pang contract like sa Cebu Greats kay Uncle Sam (Lato). Nagpaalam nga ako kay boss kagabi, naglaro na ko ng ligang labas,” he said. ”Mamayang gabi may exhibition game ang Cebu Greats. Benefit game ata yun. Kaya go ako.”
“Sabi ko, ‘Boss, baka pwede maglaro muna. Pangdagdag lang sa pondo namin at para makabawas din ng stress’. So ayun, kahit wala akong tulog ng ilang araw, naglaro ako. Basketball din Talaga buhay ko,” he said after playing for the Kuya Eric team in the Lapu-Lapu Selection league at the Hoops Dome.
After his heroic act, does he expect a commendation from the city government of Mandaue?
“Walang ganun idol. Hindi tayo naghihintay ng ganun. Masaya na ako na nakatulong, na kahit isang araw, naipakita ko na kaya ko rin palang maging super hero,” he said in between laughs.
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