Romwel Anzures

Barangay Ginebra’s RJ Abarrientos in Game 3 of the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup Finals. Photo from PBA Images.

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<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1742398401879IMG_6549.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Barangay Ginebra’s RJ Abarrientos in Game 3 of the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup Finals. Photo from PBA Images."/>Barangay Ginebra’s RJ Abarrientos in Game 3 of the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup Finals. Photo from PBA Images.MANILA — Barangay Ginebra San Miguel absorbed a tough 87-85 defeat in Game 3 of the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup Finals.</div>The Gin Kings played without Justin Brownlee in the majority of the second half after he injured his right hand midway through the third period, and this led to BGSM falling short of stealing the victory from the TNT Tropang GIGA.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2025/3/19/pba-tnt-takes-2-1-lead-over-ginebra-as-brownlee-exits-early-due-to-injury-2156">READ: TNT takes 2-1 lead over Ginebra as Justin Brownlee exits early due to injury</a></div>The Tim Cone-coached not only allowed TNT to get four offensive boards in the end game, but they were not also able to cover Rey Nambatac who hit the go-ahead three-pointer with only 30 ticks left.Adding to their woes, RJ Abarrientos then went on to commit a crucial turnover 13 seconds later, and this led to Glenn Khobuntin’s breakaway basket that extended their lead to five, 87-82.“‘Di ko rin alam eh. Napunta sa akin yung bola, and then wala na akong options,” said Abarrientos before leaving the PhilSports Arena in Pasig, Wednesday evening.“Hinanap ko na lang yung pasa ko kay Jamie [Malonzo], pero ‘di siya open eh. Ayoko namang i-tira ng talagang tough shot eh. Tinry ko na lang ipasa kay Jamie, but he was not open kaya ako na-turn over,” he added.However, despite this costly error, Abarrientos shared that it was the previous play that Ginebra head coach Tim Cone took notice of after the contest.“Wala naman siyang sinabi sa akin,” bared the 2024 Draft’s third-overall pick. “Ang inopen up niya sa amin is yung tira ni Kuya Rey. Yun yung pinaka naging crucial point namin. Naka-shoot si kuya Rey Nambatac, nakakuha sila ng four offensive rebounds.”Calvin Oftana, RR Pogoy, and Nambatac all missed shots from the 49-second mark until 15 seconds later, but Nambatac still managed to clean his miss for an eventual trey.“We were sleeping, hindi na kami nakakuha ng bola and hindi namin na-locate kung saan yung talbog ng bola,” he described.Moving forward, Abarrientos acknowledged that it will be a challenge for them to bounce back, especially with the uncertainty that Brownlee’s injury brings. Still, they are eager to continue the fight with or without their resident import.“Hindi naman inaasahan yun, pero we’re still hoping na maging okay yung result ni JB,” he said. “Sa tingin ko ngayon, medyo malala raw ata sabi ng mga doctors namin. Pero wala eh, kailangan naming harapin ‘to, we’re still in the Finals.”“Kahit na locals kami na matitira dito against a dominant team like TNT, wala, kailangan naming akuin or tapusin. Or hopefully, maka balik siya.”“Yung last two or three minutes ng fourth, nakita niyo yung intensity without JB. Kahit locals lang, lumaban pa rin hanggang dulo. Pero siyempre, iba pa rin yung may JB sa loob eh. Iba yung nama-magnet ni JB pag dating sa offense, tapos pag dating sa depensa, meron kaming bigger guy who can help sa locals.”“Big factor yung nawala si JB, but we need to move on. Kailangan naming harapin ‘to,” he added. <div>RELATED VIDEO: <iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wcajTW6Tizc?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe> </div>

Barangay Ginebra San Miguel absorbed a tough defeat in Game 3 of the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup Finals.

Barangay Ginebra San Miguel absorbed a tough defeat in Game 3 of the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup Finals.

PBA: RJ Abarrientos on late-game error vs. TNT — ‘Wala na akong options’

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PBA: RJ Abarrientos on late-game error vs. TNT — ‘Wala na akong options’

Rom Anzures,

ABS-CBN News

Published Mar 20, 2025 01:03 AM PHT

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