RJ Abarrientos lastly nails down objective that has lengthy eluded him
You’ll be able to lastly name RJ Abarrientos a champion. —PBA IMAGES
Till Barangay Ginebra’s title conquest within the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, rising star RJ Abarrientos had been there, however not fairly finished that.
“There,” being nearly in all places. “That,” being successful a championship.
All that modified on Wednesday night time when Abarrientos lastly shook off the monkey on his again and helped the Gin Kings beat TNT to finish a three-year drought.
Abarrientos’ basketball journey, each in faculty and within the skilled ranks abroad, has hardly been easy. He could be the primary to confess it.
Luckily for him, he has all the time had the assist system he wanted.
“Each league was arduous. Each league had challenges for me,” Abarrientos informed the Inquirer after Ginebra’s Sport 7 victory over TNT on the Mall of Asia Enviornment.
“Whether or not you win or lose, there are all the time individuals who doubt you mentally and bodily on the court docket. However in case you have teammates who belief you, there’s no motive to surrender.”
Loads of buzz
The journey started beneath the brilliant lights of the UAAP.
As a one-and-done guard for FEU, Abarrientos generated loads of buzz in the course of the pandemic period however by no means tasted staff success.
He then took his skills to the Korean Basketball League, signing with Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus.
Whereas he captured Rookie of the Yr honors, a championship remained out of attain.
Subsequent got here a transfer to Japan’s B.League, the place he suited up for the Shinshu Courageous Warriors. As soon as once more, the title he sought proved elusive.
When Abarrientos returned residence and entered the 2024 PBA Draft, Ginebra chosen him third total.
The frustrations adopted him at first.
Legendary uncle
He endured back-to-back Finals losses to TNT in Season 49, however via all of it, he leaned on a assist system that included the winningest coach in PBA historical past and his legendary uncle, Johnny Abarrientos.
“I’m simply grateful for my coaches and my Tito. These are a very powerful individuals for me,” he stated. “My ears are all the time open and I’m all the time prepared to hear.
“I’m nonetheless removed from my objective, however I’m grateful as a result of I’m surrounded by successful coaches.”
Abarrientos’ breakthrough convention grew to become much more memorable when he was named Greatest Participant of the Convention.
He selected to not have fun then.
Now, he lastly can.
After falling brief within the UAAP, the KBL and the B.League, Abarrientos finally achieved what had lengthy eluded him—a championship.
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“I stated earlier than that particular person awards aren’t value celebrating,” he stated. “However this time, it’s time to have fun.” INQ
