JR Quiñahan says dropping over 20 lbs served him well

MANILA, Philippines – One half of Rain or Shine’s burly “Extra Rice Inc.” duo in the PBA has cut down on the extra servings, and is now reaping the benefits of losing over 20 lbs. 

JR Quiñahan turned his back on greasy burgers and instead doubled up on fruits and proper workouts to go from weighing 260 lbs down to 235. And in losing weight, Quiñahan feels he gained something more.

“Malaking tulong (It’s a big help),” said the 6-foot-6 big man, who’s been consistent throughout the 2016 PBA Commissioner’s Cup. “Kasi nagagawa mo yung gusto mong gawin tsaka matagal kang mapagod. Every day nage-extra workout ako tsaka shooting. Kailangan walang ma-miss (I get to do what I want and I don’t get tired easily. Every day I do extra workout and extra shooting. I can’t miss).” 

Quiñahan made the decision by himself to shed the pounds around August last year, before the current season. Skipping midnight snacks and strict discipline every day is paying off well for him this conference, where he has had only one single-digit output in 8 games.

He set a new career high of 25 points along with 12 rebounds and two steals off the bench on Monday, March 21, but it was for naught as Rain or Shine suffered a blowout loss to TNT. 

“Wala lang yun, kailangan manalo kami kahit kaunti lang yung points mo (That’s nothing, we need to win even if I don’t score many points),” he said of his achievement. “Team e. Hindi ko naman iniisip lagi yung sarili ko (It’s a team. I don’t always think of myself).” 

Quiñahan is currently averaging close to 16 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game this conference. In the Philippine Cup, he normed almost 11 points and 5.8 rebounds in an up and down performance. 

This is an improvement so far from his 5.6 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.4 assists of the previous season. 

This Holy Week, Quiñahan won’t have much trouble abstaining from comfort food due to his diet. He eats apples and grapes every day but he admits, at least for Easter Sunday, he may just steal a piece of skin off a roast pig.

The 31-year-old is back in his hometown of Cebu for the break but will work to stay in game shape. 

He jokes his Extra Rice Inc. partner Beau Belga continues to chow down and Quiñahan sometimes tells him to cut back as well. But Quiñahan will not deny himself cheat days, too.

“Minsan pag gutom [nage-extra rice ako] (Sometimes when I’m hungry I have extra rice),” he laughed. – Rappler.com