PBA: RJ Abarrientos blocks the noise to help Ginebra reach semis

Ginebra guard RJ Abarrientos shoots against Meralco during Game 3 of their PBA quarterfinals series.–PBA IMAGES

ANTIPOLO—RJ Abarrientos blocked the noise and impressed in Ginebra’s Game 3 win over Meralco on Sunday night to help the Gin Kings advance to the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals.

However, it wasn’t easy for Abarrientos as he had difficulties following Ginebra’s Game 2 loss on Friday after the crack guard, who missed a potential game-tying four-pointer late, revealed he had received numerous death threats online from several dummy accounts.

“Actually, it was hard on my part because what happened was alarming. For me, though, I needed to move on because we had this game,” said Abarrientos in Filipino after the Gin Kings’ 94-87 win over the Bolts.

READ: PBA reaches out to NBI after RJ Abarrientos death threats

RJ Abarrientos talks about the death threats that came his way in Ginebra’s last game against Meralco. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/KGfWj0YkVl

— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) February 9, 2025

“It was hard because that was no joke. It involved family matters. My family was involved and I’m always in public places.”

But Abarrientos didn’t let it affect him when he hit the court for Game 3, posting 16 points, four rebounds, three assists and a steal.

The former Korean Basketball League Rookie of the Year also kept his focus with an efficient 50 percent shooting clip, making four of his eight shots from the field.

Just because Abarrientos appeared unfazed doesn’t mean he’s not disturbed by the death threats anymore.

READ: RJ Abarrientos condemns death threats after Ginebra loss

So when he had the chance, he thanked league commissioner Willie Marcial for cooperating with the National Bureau of Investigation to get to the bottom of it.

“Nagpapasalamat ako kila boss Al(Francis Chua) and Comm. Willie kasi ‘di nila ako pinabayaan sa nangyari. Bigay ko ‘to sa kanila.” (I thank boss Al and Comm. Willie because they did not let those things just pass. I dedicate this [win] to them.”

Abarrientos and Ginebra move on to face top seed Northport in a best-of-seven semifinal series which tips off February 26.