The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMAS Ambassador to China Sterling ‘Robert Lloyd’ Quant said he clearly remembers the epic battles he had with the late Peter ‘the Cud’, ‘Macaroni’ Gilcud as members of the Kentucky Colonels and Becks’ Cougars respectively.

But Quant said while they were formidable foes who shared their camaraderie as teammates on the national basketball team, they were also friends off the court.

Quant, who is currently in China, made his comments after he heard of the passing of Gilcud over the weekend.

“I first met Peter, nicknamed ‘the Cud’ and ‘Macaroni’, after he returned home from attending the University of Minnesota, where he played one year of basketball with Michael ‘Sweet Bells’ Thompson and Osborne ‘Goose’ Lockhart,” Quant said. “Prior to him attending the University of Minnesota, there were many newspaper articles highlighting his play at St. Leo’s Junior College,”

Gilcud, who stood at six-feet, seven-niches, had massive shoulders and he weighed much more than Quant, but that only fuelled the match-up of the two big men in the middle.

“He played for the Beck’s Cougars and was strong as an ox,” Quant said. “When he and his team mate Reggie Forbes took up positions in the low post, it was a tough job moving in and around them.

“Both players were very physical in their play, but it was fun banging bodies with them. They both were clean players, as there was no fear of being low bridged or tripped down with an extended leg.”

Quant, however, said when they played overseas, it was a pleasure for him to team up with Gilcud, who considered himself to be an enforcer.

“I recall in the Pan American Games in 1975 in Mexico when we played Argentina, he came to my aid,” Quant recalled. “A play was called for me to receive the ball in one of the corners of the court, it was passed to me, I jumped to shoot the ball and I noticed the opposing player, a fellow over seven feet, did not try to block the shot.

“He barrelled into me with his shoulder lowered, I tried to take the blow with my arms across my chest, but I was flying backward in the air. The next thing I recall was waking up, lying on the court in front of the team’s bench with an oxygen mask over my nose.”

As he looked up, Quant said Gilcud was on his knees close to his head and he told him: “Quant, I will get him back.”

After taking a seat on the team’s bench, the game resumed and he watched the play of the game as Gilcud did just that.

Off the court, Quant recalled Gilcud as a “chancer,” who formulated many big ideas and dreams, some of which came to fruition, while others dwindled away.

But if there was one thing he could say about Gilcud, it’s the fact that “if Peter was your friend, you had a good friend”. Before he left The Bahamas for his ambassadorial appointment in China, Quant said he had a discussion with Gilcud concerning his medical issues.

“But as usual, Peter stated he will beat what was ailing him,” Quant said. “I wished him the best. He hinted that he will visit me in China and that will be his second trip to China. I feel if there were no COVID- 19 restrictions Peter would have kept his promise.”

When he received the news that Gilcud had passed, Quant said he was saddened because he knew he lost a good friend.

“It is unfortunate that I will not be able to attend his homegoing service, but my condolences go out to his children, other family members and his former teammates,” Quant said.

“For those who knew Peter, ‘the Cud’, ‘Macaroni’ well, his strong handshake, his infectious smile and his words of encouragement will be missed.

“May my friend’s soul rest in peace.”