You may finally call RJ Abarrientos a champion. —PBA IMAGES
Until Barangay Ginebra’s title conquest within the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, rising star RJ Abarrientos had been there, but not quite done that.
“There,” being almost in all places. “That,” being winning a championship.
All that modified on Wednesday night when Abarrientos finally shook off the monkey on his back and helped the Gin Kings beat TNT to finish a three-year drought.
Abarrientos’ basketball journey, each in college and within the skilled ranks overseas, has hardly been smooth. He can be the primary to confess it.
Fortunately for him, he has all the time had the support system he needed.
“Every league was hard. Every league had challenges for me,” Abarrientos told the Inquirer after Ginebra’s Game 7 victory over TNT on the Mall of Asia Arena.
“Whether you win or lose, there are all the time individuals who doubt you mentally and physically on the court. But when you have got teammates who trust you, there’s no reason to offer up.”
Loads of buzz
The journey began under the brilliant lights of the UAAP.
As a one-and-done guard for FEU, Abarrientos generated loads of buzz through the pandemic era but never tasted team success.
He then took his talents to the Korean Basketball League, signing with Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus.
While he captured Rookie of the Yr honors, a championship remained out of reach.
Next got here a move to Japan’s B.League, where he suited up for the Shinshu Brave Warriors. Once more, the title he sought proved elusive.
When Abarrientos returned home and entered the 2024 PBA Draft, Ginebra chosen him third overall.
The frustrations followed him at first.
Legendary uncle
He endured back-to-back Finals losses to TNT in Season 49, but through all of it, he leaned on a support system that included the winningest coach in PBA history and his legendary uncle, Johnny Abarrientos.
“I’m just thankful for my coaches and my Tito. Those are an important people for me,” he said. “My ears are all the time open and I’m all the time willing to listen.
“I’m still removed from my goal, but I’m thankful because I’m surrounded by winning coaches.”
Abarrientos’ breakthrough conference became much more memorable when he was named Best Player of the Conference.
He selected to not have a good time then.
Now, he finally can.
After falling short within the UAAP, the KBL and the B.League, Abarrientos finally achieved what had long eluded him—a championship.
“I said before that individual awards aren’t value celebrating,” he said. “But this time, it’s time to have a good time.” INQ