With a skill set and high basketball IQ honed overseas, it’s no longer surprising for Rhon Jay “RJ” Abarrientos to get deployed in crunch time by Barangay Ginebra.
The No. 3 overall pick is proving Tim Cone and the coaches right in trusting him with big responsibilities in high-stakes games.
In the Game 5 tiebreaker of the PBA Governors’ Cup semifinal series with San Miguel Beer last Friday, the 25-year-old Abarrientos erupted for 28 points, helping the Gin Kings get on the hill with a 121-92 romp.
Two nights later, the 5-foot-11 dynamo accounted for 16 highlighted by a clutch three-point shot and nifty assists that led to a highlight dunk by Japeth Aguilar and layup by Scottie Thompson in the fourth as the Gin Kings ultimately closed SMB out, 102-99, to set a title rematch with TNT.
For his strong play, Abarrientos (18.3 points spiked by a 44 percent three-point shooting, 4 assists and 3.3 rebounds in three matches) earned the PBA Press Corps-Pilipinas Live Player of the Week citation for the period Oct. 16 to 20 – the last to be given by the covering media for the conference.
“I just want to improve myself every practice, every game. I’m just doing my thing every day to be better as a person and as a player,” said Abarrientos, who previously suited up for Korean club Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus in 2022 and won the KBL Rookie of the Year honors in this stint then brought his act to Japan B. League via Shinshu Brave Warriors in 2023 before applying for the PBA draft.
“I’m thankful to the Ginebra coaches for the confidence and to the Ginebra fans.”
Playing mostly off the bench, Abarrientos has seamlessly blended with one-time MVP Thompson in what’s emerging as a new lethal backcourt tandem.
“RJ plays like a veteran. We all know his international experience,” said Thompson of Abarrientos, who is expected to play a key role when the Gin Kings challenge holder TNT for the crown beginning Sunday.
