Ginebra’s RJ Abarrientos. PBA Images
MANILA – It looks like third time's the charm for sophomore star RJ Abarrientos.
After three finals appearances with Barangay Ginebra, Abarrientos now has a much-coveted PBA title in his collection.
Since joining Ginebra in 2024, Abarrientos has won Best Player of the Conference, Season 49 Rookie of the Year, as well as an All-Star and All-Rookie Team call-ups.
Abarrientos and Ginebra have been in the finals in the Season 49 Governors' Cup and Commissioner's Cup and, most recently, the Season 50 Commissioner's Cup.
"Siyempre thankful, grateful ako na nakuha ko itong unang kampeonato ko sa PBA with the Ginebra team. Nagpapasalamat ako sa mga taong nandiyan nakasuporta sa akin yung pamilya ko, yung asawa ko," he told reporters on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
"Ito yung goal. Kahit sino sa amin makakuha ng individual. Kahit hindi sa Ginebra team, basta champion yung pinag-usapan. Lahat kami nakakuha ng award, yun yung pinaka-hinihintay namin dito, " Abarrientos said.
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The 26-year-old said winning his first championship felt sweeter with his uncle, PBA legend Johnny Abarrientos, on the same team.
"Siyempre tito ko first time ko makasama dito sa Ginebra. And then nakuha ko [yung title] with my uncle. So yeah time to celebrate, ito yung pinakahihintay namin. Keep going," he added.
The Far Eastern University standout has been instrumental in the championship run of the Gin Kings, as he continues embracing a bigger role with the team.
Abarrientos even produced back-to-back 30-point outings for Ginebra in the semifinals when they eliminated the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.
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The PBA 50 Commissioner's Cup title is a full circle moment for Abarrientos, who last won a title alongside TNT Tropang 5G import Chris McCullough as part of Strong Group-PH in 2024.
"In the series na nakasama siya sa Talk N' Text pinakita niya na-deserve niya dito... Kita niyo naman yung stats niya, the whole game na-dominate niya yung whole game... Hats off sa kanya," he said.
"Hats off sa kanya. Hindi naging madali. Alam ko yung puso ni McCullough, kasama ko yan nung nag-champion dati," Abarrientos shared.
Despite winning a title with Strong Group-PH before, Abarrientos said this one hits different given the journey to the crown.
"Ngayon iba ito. Sabi ko nga [may] ups and downs, dami namin pinagdaanan. Hindi lang more on laging panalo. Alam din ng mga Ginebra fans yan. Alam rin nila pag natalo, nagagalit sila. Yung pinaka-thankful namin," he said.
"Ganun din sa Ginebra fans na lagi nandyan sa amin. Nakikita namin yung suporta nila through social media, sa panonood, sa walang sawang pagsuporta, sa paghintay," Abarrientos added.
The sophomore star joked that former Ginebra icon LA Tenorio was the lucky charm for them, as he sat courtside during the winner-take-all match.
For now, Abarrientos will take time to celebrate before returning to the court for Gilas Pilipinas in the third window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers next month.