Barangay Ginebra’s 2024 PBA Rookie Draft first round selection RJ Abarrientos. Photo by Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News.

MANILA — Barangay Ginebra San Miguel is prioritizing their youth more than ever.

The perennial crowd favorites, who previously had Christian Standhardinger and Stanley Pringle among their main weapons, now have a bunch of younger studs in Stephen Holt and Isaac Go.

READ: Ginebra sends C-Stand, Pringle to Terrafirma for Holt, Go

READ: Standhardinger bids Barangay Ginebra goodbye

Aside from the duo, further signaling a changing of the guard for the Gin Kings was their decision to take 24-year-old RJ Abarrientos as the third overall pick of the 2024 PBA Rookie Draft on Sunday.

They managed to get the third pick following their blockbuster trade with TerraFirma Dyip last Saturday, and this, according to head coach Tim Cone, actually brought him and his staff some lengthy discussions on who to pick.

"First of all, it was a really tough pick because there were a lot of really good guys in the draft," said the Gilas Pilipinas tactician on the sidelines of the annual proceedings.

"We were looking at maybe four players that we felt that [we could choose.] We went back and forth, and this went on for a few days. Size is something that we battled with, especially with the exit of Christian, there’s a big hole there."

"But the bottom line is, eventually, we just felt that RJ will be an elite player at his position, maybe even a transcendent player. He has the potential to be that kind of player, so it was just somebody that we couldn’t pass up on," he explained.

Aside from this, getting Abarrientos — who not only displayed his prowess in the UAAP with Far Eastern University but also won the 2023 Rookie of the Year award in the Korean Basketball League — also reminded him of how they got his uncle in the 1993 Draft 31 years ago.

Johnny Abarrientos representing his nephew RJ in the 2024 PBA Rookie Draft. Photo by Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News.

"Even though we would've liked size and some of the other players, I kind of compare it to [1993]. With Alaska, we had the third pick, and Jun Limpot was No.1, Vic Pablo was No.2, and we were hoping for Vic Pablo," said Cone of the draft wherein Limpot went to Sta. Lucia and Pablo to Ginebra and eventually to Pepsi.

"We were hoping and hoping, and we were like: 'Oh, man. We gotta take Johnny Abarrientos.' But when we took him, we never looked back," said Cone, who won multiple titles and even a Grand Slam alongside the older Abarrientos during their time with the Milkmen.

"Now, third pick for RJ, third pick for Johnny, both Abarrientos, so it's kinda poetic."

But while he is set to have another Abarrientos as his main guard, Cone is aware of the difference between what the two floor generals bring to the table.

"They're different types of players. I think RJ is more of a lights-out scorer, and he also has versatility. He can score, he's a tremendous passer, and he can create," he said.

"It's hard to compare them, but Johnny, without a doubt, is the best of his era. We'll see how RJ is in two, three, or four years, but he's gonna get that opportunity with us. We recognize that we have a potential star, so we're gonna give him the opportunity," he furthered, while also explaining what similarities they may have.

"One thing with our old Alaska team, Johnny was a one-man press breaker. And we think of RJ the same way. It will enhance our transition game, and is a great force."

Abarrientos will now be playing alongside Scottie Thompson, Stephen Holt, and LA Tenorio with the Kings, and Cone is confident that the 5-foot-11, former Gilas player will fit well with his present guards.

"One thing that he's better than Johnny is his three-point shot. He can shoot it, and I think he'll play really well with Mav, Scotie, and Holt," the national team coach said.