Barangay Ginebra’s RJ Abarrientos against TNT’s Rondae Hollis-Jefferson in Game 6 of the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup Finals. Photo from PBA Images.
MANILA — RJ Abarrientos left it all on the floor for Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in their PBA Season 49 Governors' Cup Game 6 bout against the TNT Tropang GIGA.
Coming into the game only averaging 5.2 points per game in the Best-of-7 series' first five outings, the 5-foot-11, third overall pick of this year's Rookie Draft reintroduced himself on Friday night.
READ: And still — TNT denies Ginebra anew, retains Governors Cup crown
The former Far Eastern University star exploded for his career-high of 31 points — 18 in the second quarter wherein they erased a 31-21 deficit and turned it into a slim 43-42 cushion at halftime — while shooting 11/17 from the field, 1/2 from four and 3/5 from three.
"Buhos na talaga eh. Lahat binigay ko na sa floor, manalo or matalo," said Abarrientos, who also had two steals, a rebound, and an assist in their 95-85 defeat at the Araneta Coliseum which allowed TNT to retain the Govs' Cup title.
"Pero sinasabi nga nila, may mananalo may matatalo, yun yung basketball," he continued.
The first PBA conference of the former Korean Basketball League (KBL) Rookie of the Year was a rollercoaster ride.
After an impressive showing in their semi finals victory over the San Miguel Beermen, with Abarrientos delivering 13.3 markers, 3.7 dimes, and 2.8 boards, he was limited to only scoring a total of 26 points in his first five games in the PBA's biggest stage.
"Maraming ups and downs this conference, and wala eh, full credit talaga sa TNT, so sobrang deserve nila. Marami akong natutunan sa kanila," he said.
And this, acknowledged the former Gilas Pilipinas guard, served as an eye opener that he is now going up against some of the best that the Philippines has to offer.
Barangay Ginebra’s RJ Abarrientos against TNT’s Jayson Castro in the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup Finals. Photo from PBA Images.
"Talo kami sa Finals, yun yung sampal ng katotohanan," he emphasized. "Yun yung reality check, na marami pang kailangan matutunan, so back to work, back to business.
The Gin Kings' prized rookie also downplayed his career-game performance, but he knows that these may serve as seeds that will eventually bear fruit for him in his PBA career.
"Sa individual game ko ngayong Game 6, maganda yung napakita ko, pero mas marami pa siguro kung tatanggapin ko na kailangan ko [yung talo], at na marami pa akong kailangan makuha para sa next conferences," said Abarrientos, who deflected the credit to his fellow players and Ginebra's staff.
"For me, nakikita ko yung tiwala ng mga coaches and teammates ko, and yun yung nagbibigay sa akin ng confidence, kaya desperado akong ituloy-tuloy yun," he pointed out. "Dadalhin ko 'to, lalagay ko sa pocket ko, sa bag ko, and paghihirapan ko pa kung ano man yung kakulangan na 'yon."
RJ also refused to dwell on their heartbreak, and is, instead, shifting his focus on getting back to work immediately as Barangay Ginebra prepares for the Commissioner's Cup which is scheduled to tip off on November 27.
"Nakakalungkot para sa mga Ginebra fans, pero ite-take namin 'to seriously and pagaaralan namin 'to for next conference," said Abarrientos.
"Nakakadagdag ng gutom, so konting pahinga lang, then back to work ulit. Marami pa akong kailangang matutunan at gawin para maging good player para sa Ginebra, pero thank you sa mga Ginebra fans, sa ups and downs, salamat po sa inyong lahat."
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