PBA: Ginebra just couldn’t pass up on ’elite’ RJ Abarrientos

Barangay Ginebra coach Tim Cone having a chat with assistant coach Johnny Abarrientos during the 2024 PBA Draft. The Gin Kings selected RJ Abarrientos, Johnny’s nephew, with the number three pick.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—After trading star big man Christian Standhardinger a day before the 2024 PBA Draft, Barangay Ginebra knew it needed to add size in its frontcourt.

Earning the rights to the third overall pick in the draft as part of the deal with Terrafirma, the Gin Kings could have somehow filled that void with a young and promising forward like Kai Ballungay or Caelan Tiongson.

But after much deliberation, they didn’t. Simply because they just couldn’t look the other way with a talent like RJ Abarrientos in front of them.

READ: PBA: Ginebra makes surprise move by drafting RJ Abarrientos at No. 3

“Eventually, we went back and forth, one coach liked this guy another coach liked that guy and the bottom line was, we felt RJ would be an elite player at his position, maybe even transcendent,” said Cone.

“He has the potential to be that kind of player.”

Taking Abarrientos, a 5-11 guard out of Far Eastern University, brought back the memories of 31 years ago when Cone and Alaska drafted Johnny Abarrientos—RJ’s uncle—also as the third pick.

READ: PBA: Ginebra acquires Stephen Holt, Terrafirma gets Standhardinger

“We took Johnny and of course, never looked back. We’re always obsessed with size, we always want to get the big players and that’s something we battled with,” said Cone, who also thought about picking a big in Vic Pablo at that time.

That crucial decision led to multiple championships, including a rare Grand Slam in 1996, for Cone and Alaska.

The younger Abarrientos may be classified as a rookie but he already had his fair share of experience playing in the pros with stints in the Korean Basketball League—where he was named Rookie of the Year—and the Japan B.League. He’s also played for Gilas Pilipinas.

“We wanted size, especially after we traded Christian. We have a big hole there so we really debated on it but we said we just couldn’t pass up on RJ.”