ANOTHER VETERAN WOWS ‘EM
With a revamped roster and a new coaching staff, old hand Reynel Hugnatan just lurked under the radar.
But at the end of their season-opening double overtime victory over the stubborn Barako Bull squad Wednesday, the grizzled forward registered a career-high 28 points powered by a perfect 10-of-10 from the free throw line, including the pair which secured the win for the Bolts in the tailend of the second extra period.
For Hugnatan, who turns 36 in a couple of weeks, he’s just making the most of the opportunity given to him by his new coach Norman Black.
“Sa akin, wala namang problema. Noon, naninibago kami, pero ngayon, nakuha na namin yung sistema nya. Maganda na yung tinatakbo namin kaya ok naman,” said the 6-foot-5 slotman. “Nakita nya yung potential ko so minsan, binibigyan nya ako ng play.”
At his age, many people wonder how Hugnatan can still keep up with the younger bigs.
But the pride of Bacolod City said, “Walang sikreto. Sipag lang at maging disiplinado.”
“Malaking tulong sa akin yung kay coach Nico sa USPC. Sya yung nagpakundisyon sa akin,” Hugnatan said of his training grounds in Pasig which has kept him in tip-top shape since their season ended three months ago.
The killer workout has really done him wonders as evidenced by his game, and he hopes that all the hard work would pay off as they usher in the Norman Black-era in Meralco.
“Ginagawa lang namin ang trabaho namin kasi ayaw na naming mag-ninth place ulit. Sabi naman ni coach, kailangan talaga naming mag-improve. Na-challenge kami so excited kaming lahat,” Hugnatan said. (RL)
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