RJ Abarrientos in the Jones Cup.–SGA PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—RJ Abarrientos has a lot to be excited about as a member of Barangay Ginebra and one of those reasons is to learn from the Gin Kings’ coaches led by head tactician Tim Cone.
Abarrientos, who just finished playing for Strong Group Athletics in the 43rd William Jones Cup in Taiwan, said he also can’t wait to share the court with the likes of Scottie Thompson, Jamie Malonzo and Japeth Aguilar.
“I already want to be with my coaches, especially coach Tim Cone and coach Olsen (Racela), who was my coach in FEU before I turned pro,” said the 24-year-old Abarrientos in a video uploaded by Strong Group Athletics on Facebook.
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“I’m also excited to play with players who I see like kuya Scottie (Thompson), kuya Jamie Malonzo and kuya Japeth (Aguilar). That’s how excited I am.”
Abarrientos and Ginebra assistant coach Olsen Racela go way back.
Racela was Abarrientos’ coach in his lone UAAP season with Far Eastern University in 2022 where the Tamaraws made the Final Four. Abarrientos also led the league in scoring that year at 19.2 points per game.
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“I’ll be playing for the Ginebra fans and its community and it’s one of the best teams in the PBA. They’re also one of the teams I dreamed of playing for.”
Ginebra made Abarrientos’ dream come true after selecting the crafty guard third overall–a pick they got following a blockbuster trade with Terrafirma a day before the draft.