REYNEL Hugnatan has no plans of retiring anytime soon, saying he plans to play the game he loves for as long as he can.
The 41-year-old Hugnatan is just one of six players in the league who are aged 40 or over. Asi Taulava of NLEX heads that list as the oldest player with 47 followed, by Rafi Reavis of Magnolia (42), Harvey Carey of TNT (41), Mark Caguioa of Barangay Ginebra (40), and PJ Simon of Magnolia (40).
While Taulava and Simon have expressed their intention to retire after the 2020 season, Hugnatan said he does not plan to follow anytime soon.
“Hindi ko pa iniisip ‘yan,” said Hugnatan in an episode of SPIN Sidelines to be shown this week. “Habang kaya pa.”
The University of Manila product actually began his pro career in 1998 as a member of the Negros Slashers in the Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA). Following the demise of the MBA, Hugnatan went to the PBA where he was drafted ninth overall by Coca-Cola in 2003.

The Meralco big man said he doesn’t see any reason why he should retire since he was still being signed by his current team to a new deal. Hugnatan also feels that even if he retires in the PBA, he will still be playing basketball anyway.
“Basta may mga offers pa sa team, bakit hindi. Kasi iniisip ko, kapag hindi na ako naglalaro [sa PBA], maglalaro pa rin ako," he said. "At least ngayon, nabibigyan pa ako ng kontrata ng team. At least kumikita pa ako. Habang healthy pa ako, kung kaya ko pa maglaro, lalaro pa ako."

In order to keep up with much younger players, the 6-foot-4 big man said he has kept himself in shape by working out and carefully choosing what he eats.
“Eto ‘yung first love ko eh. Eto ‘yung gustong-gusto ko. Kaya siguro rin ako nagtagal dahil kumbaga hindi ko pinapabayaan sarili ko. Mahal ko trabaho ko,” said Hugnatan.
His diet consists mainly of vegetables than anything else.
“Hindi naman ako maselan. Hindi naman ako nagda-diet. Kumakain lang ako ng tamang pagkain ngayon. More on vegetables ako ngayon, iwas ako sa meat, iwas sa red meat. Kailangan mo rin mag-exercise, i-maintain mo,” Hugnatan said.
Although he can still hold his own against rising stars, Hugnatan believes he has a higher purpose of setting a good example to the younger players of the Bolts. Hugnatan described himself as a veteran who prefers to lead by example.
“Ako kasi ‘yung kuya nila. Ako naman kasi, hindi ako masyadong talkative sa kanila. Pinapakita ko lang sa kanila kung bakit ako nag tagal sa PBA. Parang lagi kong pinapakita sa kanila na ako ang nauuna sa gym, nagsu-shooting, ako lagi ‘yung huling umuuwi.
"Kapag isang beterano makikita ng isang rookie o isang teammate na maaga ka lagi, late ka umuuwi, nagsu-shooting ka pa rin, minsan mahihiya sila. Sa ganun pa lang na example, doon ka matututo eh,” said Hugnatan.
“Minsan sinasabihan ko rin sila pero ako kasi, more on gawa kesa salita,” he added.

Hugnatan hopes that more players are able to play in the PBA at aged 40 or even older.
“Masaya ako na maraming mga players na kahit ganun na ang edad, at least kami ‘yung mga nag-iinspire sa mga young na kahit ganito edad namin, kaya pa rin naming maglaro,” said Hugnatan. "Sana maging marami pa."
Does he plan to play until he's 50?
“Baka hindi na,” Hugnatan said with a smile.
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