PBA Finals: RJ Abarrientos delivers after Tim Cone challenge

PBA Finals Schedule: 2026 Commissioner’s Cup – Ginebra vs TNT

Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings’ RJ Abarrientos during Game 1 vs TNT Tropang 5G in the 2026 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—It’s no secret that Barangay Ginebra coach Tim Cone can be tough on his players at times.

In Game 1 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals against TNT, it was RJ Abarrientos who found himself on the receiving end of Cone’s frustration on the sidelines.

Abarrientos wasn’t fazed, though. In fact, it only fired him up more as he helped the Gin Kings escape the Tropang 5G, 102-100, in the series opener at Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday.

“I think I got him pissed off but I didn’t think I motivated him,” said Cone in jest. “He hit some huge shots, we were down both times and got the leads on both shots, which were gigantic.”

Ginebra’s RJ Abarrientos and coach Tim Cone after winning Game 1 of the #PBAFinals. @inquirersports pic.twitter.com/QTdcoqZtyZ

— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) June 3, 2026

Abarrientos finished with a team-high 24 points to go along with seven assists, three rebounds and two steals.

The FEU product also hit two big shots down the stretch.

Abarrientos sank two four-pointers in the last two minutes of the game, the first giving Ginebra a 96-95 lead and the second putting the Gin Kings ahead, 100-97.

Still, Abarrientos understood why Cone was hard on him, especially in the fourth quarter.

Even after his stellar showing helped Ginebra take a 1-0 series lead, the rising star knows he still has plenty to improve on.

“We need to be better than that and I need to be better than I was today,” Abarrientos said.

“We had a lot of mistakes that we need to see during viewing and we’ll prepare for Game 2. We collapsed in the fourth and we have no excuse. We need to fix ourselves for Game 2.”