Barangay Ginebra picks guard RJ Abarrientos (not in photo) in the 2024 PBA Draft. Abarrientos, who played for FEU in the UAAP and had stints in the KBL and B.League, is currently playing for Strong Group in the William Jones Cup in Taipei.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines–Barangay Ginebra continued to inject youth into its lineup, selecting RJ Abarrientos third overall in the PBA Rookie Draft Sunday at Glorietta in Makati City.
The Gin Kings, which swapped its No. 10 pick with the Terrafirma franchise in a deal that included Christian Standhardinger and Stanley Pringle on the eve of the annual selection, will be reeling in a 24-year-old Abarrientos who has played for Gilas Pilipinas and plied his wares in Korea and Japan.
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Head coach Tim Cone was candid with his pick during the event, hoping that Abarrientos would be as good as his uncle Johnny, a former league Most Valuable Player, who helped the seasoned mentor and the Alaska franchise to eight PBA crowns, including a rare Triple Crown sweep during the 1996 season.
The young Abarrientos is currently in Taiwan helping the Strong Group Athletics in the William Jones Cup. He joins Stephen Holt, last year’s top pick, and Isaac Go as the new faces for the crowd darlings.
Ginebra’s choice was also steeped in nostalgia as it mirrored the 1993 Rookie Draft that featured a La Salle standout going first overall and an Abarrientos getting selected by Cone as No. 3 in the event.