RJ Abarrientos hit by reality check in PBA Finals debut

Ginebra rookie RJ Abarrientos (4) defends TNT guard Jayson Castro in Game 1 of the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals.–PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines—Ginebra rookie RJ Abarrientos found himself swimming with the sharks in his first PBA Finals experience.

The fast-rising Abarrientos went head-to-head with TNT great Jayson Castro, who took the young guard to school.

“Kuya Jayson showed who Jayson Castro is, who I still idolize right now,” said Abarrientos after the Gin Kings’ 104-88 Game 1 loss on Sunday night at Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo.

READ: PBA Finals: TNT vets Jayson Castro, Erram shine in Game 1 win

“You all saw how he attacked me. I just need to read and watch his game in our film viewing and learn from it.”

Castro flaunted his veteran wits to outplay the much younger Abarrientos, who struggled mightily in his finals debut.

The eight-time PBA champion proved too much for Abarrientos, finishing with 14 points, two rebounds, two assists and a steal.

Abarrientos, on the other hand, scored just five points on 2-of-7 shooting from the field in 21 minutes of action.

READ: PBA Finals: RJ Abarrientos raring to face ‘idol’ Jayson Castro

“His pacing, how he goes from slow to quick and how he does it with his age [is great]. For me, marami pa ‘kong kakaining bigas (I still have to learn a lot).”

“I’m aware that I still have a lot of lapses. I need to match or better his performance but I’m thankful that I got to face him, especially here in the Finals. We’ll bounce back in Game 2.”

Ginebra looks to level the series on Wednesday, 7:30 p.m., at Araneta Coliseum.