RJ Abarrientos eager to make a name for himself in the PBA with Barangay Ginebra
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RJ Abarrientos eager to make a name for himself in the PBA with Barangay Ginebra
Rom Anzures,
ABS-CBN News
Published Aug 06, 2024 08:39 PM PHT
Barangay Ginebra San Miguel prized rookie RJ Abarrientos. Photo from Rom Anzures, ABS-CBN News
Barangay Ginebra San Miguel prized rookie RJ Abarrientos. Photo from Rom Anzures, ABS-CBN NewsMANILA — RJ Abarrientos will finally make his much-awaited PBA debut in the upcoming Season 49 Governors Cup with Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.
MANILA — RJ Abarrientos will finally make his much-awaited PBA debut in the upcoming Season 49 Governors Cup with Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.
The third overall pick of the 2024 Rookie Draft is expected to be among the young stars who will be leading the team as they parade a rejuvenated squad in the import-laden conference.
The third overall pick of the 2024 Rookie Draft is expected to be among the young stars who will be leading the team as they parade a rejuvenated squad in the import-laden conference.
But for the former Far Eastern University standout, who finished his commitment with Strong Group Athletics first before he formally joined Ginebra, his goal for now is getting himself more acclimated with his new team.
But for the former Far Eastern University standout, who finished his commitment with Strong Group Athletics first before he formally joined Ginebra, his goal for now is getting himself more acclimated with his new team.
"Okay naman. I really enjoy playing with them lalo na with veterans like Kuya LA Tenorio. I'm looking forward na mas makilala pa sila," he said during the PBA Media Day on Tuesday in Pasay City.
"Okay naman. I really enjoy playing with them lalo na with veterans like Kuya LA Tenorio. I'm looking forward na mas makilala pa sila," he said during the PBA Media Day on Tuesday in Pasay City.
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Abarrientos believes that learning from the likes of Tenorio will be crucial for him, especially as they play the same position.
Abarrientos believes that learning from the likes of Tenorio will be crucial for him, especially as they play the same position.
"Yung career niya with Coach Tim [Cone]. Ilang years na siya naglalaro for Coach Tim, so shinare niya sa akin yung expectations ni coach playing for him as a point guard - kung paano mo bibitbit yung sarili mo at paano mo mashe-share mo yung vision niyo sa ibang players," he said.
"Yung career niya with Coach Tim [Cone]. Ilang years na siya naglalaro for Coach Tim, so shinare niya sa akin yung expectations ni coach playing for him as a point guard - kung paano mo bibitbit yung sarili mo at paano mo mashe-share mo yung vision niyo sa ibang players," he said.
"Yun yung dahilan kung bakit masarap sa feeling kasama si LA," he continued.
"Yun yung dahilan kung bakit masarap sa feeling kasama si LA," he continued.
"Siguro sa nilalaro ko, at sa buong career ko mula college hanggang Korea at Japan, iba pa rin yung feeling na may pakikinggan ka sa likod eh. Yung may mag gu-guide sayo. Kaya sobrang excited ako na mas makasama pa sila at maging better pa yung bonding namin," he explained.
"Siguro sa nilalaro ko, at sa buong career ko mula college hanggang Korea at Japan, iba pa rin yung feeling na may pakikinggan ka sa likod eh. Yung may mag gu-guide sayo. Kaya sobrang excited ako na mas makasama pa sila at maging better pa yung bonding namin," he explained.
Ginebra team governor Alfrancis Chua previously compared Abarrientos to Tenorio, noting that the two floor generals have similar demeanor and confidence.
Ginebra team governor Alfrancis Chua previously compared Abarrientos to Tenorio, noting that the two floor generals have similar demeanor and confidence.
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Abarrienots admitted that Chua's sentiment puts more weight on his shoulders.
Abarrienots admitted that Chua's sentiment puts more weight on his shoulders.
"Siguro, para sa akin, complement yun as a rookie. Itutuloy tuloy ko lang po yung pinapakita ko sa laro ko. Siyempre, hindi naman mawawala yung pressure, pero I'm really excited na makasama pa sila," he said.
"Siguro, para sa akin, complement yun as a rookie. Itutuloy tuloy ko lang po yung pinapakita ko sa laro ko. Siyempre, hindi naman mawawala yung pressure, pero I'm really excited na makasama pa sila," he said.
"Pero actually, wala akong masasabi kasi gusto ko lang talagang mag basketball at gusto ko lang galingan. Pero coming from the boss at sa coaches, sobrang nakaka overwhelm para sa isang rookie kahit na naglaro na ako internationally," added the former Gilas Pilipinas member.
"Pero actually, wala akong masasabi kasi gusto ko lang talagang mag basketball at gusto ko lang galingan. Pero coming from the boss at sa coaches, sobrang nakaka overwhelm para sa isang rookie kahit na naglaro na ako internationally," added the former Gilas Pilipinas member.
Aside from this, RJ is also bearing with him the name of his uncle Johnny Abarrientos. But for him, the only thing that matters is how he can make a name for himself and that is by delivering on the responsibility of playing for Barangay Ginebra.
Aside from this, RJ is also bearing with him the name of his uncle Johnny Abarrientos. But for him, the only thing that matters is how he can make a name for himself and that is by delivering on the responsibility of playing for Barangay Ginebra.
"Siguro, big challenge yun for me," he answered on being an Abarrientos.
"Siguro, big challenge yun for me," he answered on being an Abarrientos.
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"Kailangan ko mag step up para sa team ko. Hindi yun para sa mga manonood at hindi para sa resulta. So for me, kailangan ko lang i-work on kung ano yung kailangan ko i-work on."
"Kailangan ko mag step up para sa team ko. Hindi yun para sa mga manonood at hindi para sa resulta. So for me, kailangan ko lang i-work on kung ano yung kailangan ko i-work on."
"Nag bigay siya ng mga advice, pero hindi yun sa basketball and more on sa life. It's more on handling playing in the PBA," he added.
"Nag bigay siya ng mga advice, pero hindi yun sa basketball and more on sa life. It's more on handling playing in the PBA," he added.
One way of doing this, Abarrientos said, is by continuing to play aggressively and with confidence much like how he has been doing from the start of his career.
One way of doing this, Abarrientos said, is by continuing to play aggressively and with confidence much like how he has been doing from the start of his career.
"Siguro, as a rookie, yun yung pwede kong matulong sa team talaga eh, yung kumpyansa at kung the way na ile-lead ko yung teammates ko," he said, talking about his stellar performance for BGSM during their win against the New Taipei Kings last week. "Yun yung RJ na madadala ko sa Barangay Ginebra."
"Siguro, as a rookie, yun yung pwede kong matulong sa team talaga eh, yung kumpyansa at kung the way na ile-lead ko yung teammates ko," he said, talking about his stellar performance for BGSM during their win against the New Taipei Kings last week. "Yun yung RJ na madadala ko sa Barangay Ginebra."
Fortunately, said the rookie, their chemistry is steadily improving as they continue with their preparations for the Governors' Cup.
Fortunately, said the rookie, their chemistry is steadily improving as they continue with their preparations for the Governors' Cup.
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"Let's say 80-90%. Pero kailangan pa namin ng amuyan, kasi naglalaro lang kami sa scrimmage ng kami-kami lang magkakalaban. So halos lahat nag aamuyan pa kami," said Abarrientos.
"Let's say 80-90%. Pero kailangan pa namin ng amuyan, kasi naglalaro lang kami sa scrimmage ng kami-kami lang magkakalaban. So halos lahat nag aamuyan pa kami," said Abarrientos.
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