Quinahan gets win over Belga as former teammates face off
Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
GlobalPort big man JR Quinahan expected a tough time heading into a duel with Rain or Shine on Sunday.
Bracing for a tight battle against his old team, he told his former teammate Beau Belga to take it easy.
“Sinabi ko lang kay Beau kanina bago mag-start na dahan-dahan lang,” Quinahan said with a chuckle.
Quinahan’s plea fell on deaf ears as he and Belga battled it out down low for the first time since their untimely split.
“It was expected that we’re going to duel in the paint,” said the Cebuano big man.
GlobalPort won, 117-99, with Quinahan posting 11 points and three rebounds against Belga’s seven markers, nine boards, and five assists.
After a hard-fought game, Belga shared there’s no bad blood between the two teams, more so with him and Quinahan.
“Wala namang problema sa amin eh. Sabi ko nga, seryoso kami pagdating sa laro pero dating sa labas, magkaibigan kami. Hindi siguro problema yung matchup namin kasi hindi ko naman iniisip yun,” Belga said.
Quinahan and Belga may have parted ways, but just like when they were teammates, their goal remains the same, which is to do the best they can to contribute to their respective squads’ success.
Quinahan’s efforts proved to be enough as the Batang Pier booked a quarterfinals seat as they ended the eliminations with a 6-5 card.
“Our focus is to win the game for the playoffs because our standings are very crucial. I no longer thought about facing my former team, though I admit it was unusual,” he said.
Belga, meanwhile, is trying to keep a positive outlook as Rain or Shine gets another crack to punch a ticket to the playoffs when it faces Alaska on Wednesday.
“May chance pa sa Wednesday para umayos yung pwesto namin at hindi na kami umabot sa knockout game against Blackwater. Knockout na lahat,” Belga said. “Ayaw ko umabot na dalawang conference na magkasunod na ma-out kami. Sobrang frustration na yun.”
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