Current oldest man on the court Reynel Hugnatan spills the beans on hooping at 42

It's all about the gulay, says PBA vet
Nov 26, 2020

THERE'S NO doubt that Reynel Hugnatan has established that, even at 42 years old, he's still got game.

REYNEL ON FIRE
REYNEL ON FIRE

    On Wednesday night, as Meralco tried to stay afloat in the semifinals, he took matters in his own hands late in the fourth, shooting a crucial three-point jumper with 15.1 seconds left to stay alive in the series against Barangay Ginebra, 83-80.

    Their victory forced the Gin Kings to a do-or-die Game Five on Friday inside the PBA's Pampanga bubble.

    The veteran forward finished with team-high 19 points, four rebounds, and four assists, leading the team alongside youngsters Chris Newsome and Cliff Hodge, who had 16 points apiece.

    But what's even more surprising is that this isn't Hugnatan's first breakout game. He's been making it a bubble habit as part of the Bolts' starters.

    How so?

    Hugnatan would tell you that it's all about the gulay.

    "Mahilig talaga ako sa gulay. Basta kakain ako, gusto ko palaging may gulay, kung salad yan o kahit anong side dish, basta gulay. Di ko rin masabi anong favorite ko kasi basta gulay, kakainin ko," Hugnatan said to SPIN Life.

    Team physical therapist Benj Palarca could only affirm the senior statesman's fighting condition.

    "Reynel is in top shape. He has never been injury-prone because of his discipline. That goes for what he eats, how he trains, and how he's always early for training. He doesn't stop," Palarca said.

    As SPIN Life reported earlier, Hugnatan has a policy of being first one in, last one out of the court during practice. Seventeen years since his rookie season in the PBA, he's still as eager as ever.

    SEE ALSO
    SEE ALSO

    "Excited pa rin ako hanggang ngayon mag-practice, first love ko ito eh. Dapat mahalin mo ginagawa mo. Syempre may mga times na iniisip ko nakakapagod, pero kailangan nilalaban 'yung mga ganun," he explained.

    ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW ↓

    The 6-foot-4 big man added: "Pagtapak ko sa PBA sabi ko, di ko na ito papakawalan. Kaya hangga't kaya pa ng katawan ko, gusto ko pang lumaban."

    As the oldest in the current crop of players battling it out in the semis, the Ilonggo native also plays a crucial part in imparting wisdom to the Bolts. (Hugnatan, overall, is also the third oldest active player in the league, next to Asi Taulava, 47, and Rafi Reavis, 43.)

    CONTINUE READING BELOW ↓
    Watch Now

    "When you're young, iniisip mo yung sarili mo at yung playing mo. Pero habang tumatanda ako mas naiisip ko na paano mapaganda yung team at yung mga teammates ko," he said. "Ang tatak-Meralco, yung bonding at relationship naming mga players. Maganda yung timpla at chemistry."

    Spin fans unite at the Spin Viber Community! Join the growing community now and complete the experience by subscribing to the Spin Chatbot.

    Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph

    Read Next
    Watch Now
    Sorry, no results found for
  • POLL

    • Quiz

      Quiz Result