Reynel Hugnatan's loyalty to Meralco pays off with long-awaited championship

Reynel Hugnatan's loyalty to Meralco pays off with long-awaited championship

MERALCO’s championship remains special for Reynel Hugnatan even after his change of role from battle-hardened veteran to assistant coach.

The 45-year-old joined the Bolts' coaching staff following the appointment of Luigi Trillo and Nenad Vucinic as head coach and active consultant, respectively, in 2023 after a 20-year career in the PBA. That doesn’t include the four years he spent with the Negros Slashers in the defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association.

And just a year into his new post, Hugnatan won a championship after an epic six-game series against San Miguel in the PBA 48th Season Philippine Cup finals.

Meralco assistant coach Reynel Hugnatan

PHOTO: PBA Images

"Siyempre, ganun pa rin," he answered, when asked if there was a difference between winning a championship as a player and as a coach. "Part naman ako ng championship. Same pa rin."

Though he already had three championships as a player under his belt, Hugnatan never won it all with Meralco, a team he spent 12 years on. He had come close, though, as they were runners-up during their four previous finals appearances, all of which wound up as defeats at the hands of Barangay Ginebra.

Still, as an assistant coach, he had an imprint on their title run, being among the first in practices before sharing the wisdom he gained from a long career with his teammates-turned-mentees.

Hugnatan set an example

"'Papa Rey,' he set that example to all the Meralco people," said Finals MVP Chris Newsome. "Even today, he is the first in the gym."

Even in his mid-40s, Hugnatan continues to keep himself in shape, and is actually under contract with the San Juan Knights in the MPBL as a player.

True to form, however, he deflected all the credit in Meralco’s championship to the current players who never wavered in their work.

"Sobrang thankful. Sobrang proud ako sa mga players namin. Alam namin kung gaano nila pinaghirapan ito sa ensayo, kung paano sila nagsa-sacrifice para lang dito," he said.

"Sila ang gumawa nun," he added. "Kami, nag-aadvice lang kami. Lahat ng coaching staff, sobrang saya dahil ‘yung sinasabi namin, sinasabi ni coach Nenad, coach Luigi, ginagawa nila."