PBA: RJ Abarrientos showcases resilience in leading Ginebra

Ginebra Gin Kings’ RJ Abarrientos during a PBA Governors’ Cup game. –PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines—After suffering the toughest loss of his young PBA career, Ginebra rookie RJ Abarrientos made it a point to “move on” and show what the Gin Kings can truly do.

They did just that on Wednesday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium when they ripped Phoenix apart, 112-96.

A few days ago, Ginebra suffered one of its worst losses in franchise history with a 49-point beatdown from San Miguel Beer.

READ: PBA: Ginebra rebounds from sorry loss with rout of Phoenix

“We needed to move on from that loss. We’re not saying we didn’t take that 49-point loss seriously, we just needed to move forward. We needed to forget that and just face Phoenix,” said Abarrientos.

“That’s the good thing about us. After the game, the veterans told us to forget it and go back to basics, go back to the Phoenix game plan and show them what we got.”

READ: PBA: Japeth Aguilar, Ginebra ‘pissed’ after 49-point beating

Abarrientos showed experience beyond his young age as he posted 24 points, five rebounds and five assists on an efficient 53.3 percent field goal shooting clip.

The third overall pick of the 2024 Draft also bolstered the quarterfinals-bound Ginebra to a 6-3 record that may propel them even more to the top above San Miguel Beer and Rain or Shine, who both hold identical 6-2 cards.

Coach Tim Cone, meanwhile, expressed his pride in seeing Abarrientos flourish for Ginebra even though he came off the bench.

“Right now, I’m real proud of him because he’s really grabbing hold of his role. He evolved, accepted his role and excelled,” said Cone.

“He’s got veterans in front of him and their approach on how to recover from a tough loss like that is important.”