Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

Basketball

RJ Abarrientos admits pressure in following footsteps of uncles Johnny, Billy


There’s added pressure being the nephew of an all-time great.

RJ Abarrientos isn’t shy to admit as much, now that he’s being mentioned alongside his uncle Johnny — undeniably one of the greatest to ever do it — more often after introducing himself to the world via Gilas Pilipinas.

“Laging may additional eh, para sa’kin, ‘yung pressure,” the crafty floor general told 2OT, presented by SMART Wednesday.

“Kasi siyempre, knowing Johnny Abarrientos, the Flying A, one of the best players in PBA history.”

The 21-year-old is actually a third-generation cager. Besides the 1996 PBA Most Valuable Player, RJ is also the nephew of Virgilio ‘Billy’ Abarrientos — who first made a mark in Philippine basketball during the 60s and 70s.

So, being in such a lineage would understandably bring pressure to someone who’s still trying to carve his own path. Fortunately for RJ, though, his Tito Johnny is always there, reminding him not to mind it that much.

“Pero siya rin nagsasabi, si Tito, na hayaan mo lang, laruin mo lang kung ano ‘yung nilalaro mo ngayon. Hayaan mo ‘yung mga tao,” he said.

“Kasi ganun talaga e. Example nga, ‘yan, kino-compare kami [ni SJ Belangel] kina Jimmy Alapag, kina kuya LA Tenorio — ganun din ‘yung kay Tito. Kumbaga, gawin mo ‘yung part mo, and then ‘wag kang makukuntento.”

So Abarrientos simply did his thing when he made his debut for the youth-laden men’s national team three weeks ago. And he left a trail of impressed heads afterwards.

The 5-foot-11 playmaker helped Gilas sweep the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers’ third window in Pampanga, a campaign best remembered for their twin victories over long-time tormentors South Korea.

#ReadMore  Injury forces Allyn Bulanadi to be Gilas cut

The former FEU Baby Tamaraw notched 8.3 points, 3.7 assists, and 1.3 rebounds. He also suited up in all three of their games in the Clark bubble.

Abarrientos carried over his solid play for the Filipino dribblers in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Serbia. There, they nearly pulled off an upset versus the hosts, then gave the Dominican Republic a tough match before bowing.

Now, he looks to learn from those experiences and become better. Just like what his uncle has been constantly reminding him.

“‘Yun lang ‘yung sinasabi niya lagi sa’kin. I-improve mo kung ano ‘yung meron ka ngayon, dahil siyempre, pataas nang pataas ‘yung level ng basketball ngayon eh,” said Abarrientos.

Written By

Oftentimes on the sidelines. Forever a student of the game. Morayta-bred.


You May Also Like

Basketball

LAPU-LAPU CITY – Australia head coach Brian Goorjian believes that Gilas Pilipinas is about to go on a ‘surge’ with Tim Cone now manning...

Basketball

At the tender age of 21, Kai Sotto has already experienced what most Filipino basketball players could only dream of. After leaving Ateneo High...

Basketball

Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tim Cone is absolutely certain that Kai Sotto will dominate Asia in the years to come after witnessing the latter’s...

Basketball

Once considered the cornerstones of Gilas Pilipinas’ future, Kai Sotto, Carl Tamayo, AJ Edu, and Kevin Quiambao are finally turning that dream into reality...

Basketball

Jamie Malonzo figured in a brawl at a fast food chain in Bonifacio Global City hours before Gilas Pilipinas’ homestand against Chinese-Taipei on Sunday....

2024 Summer Olympics

Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tim Cone bared that invitations have come their way for their build-up toward the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024 in...

Basketball

Justin Brownlee did not disappoint in his much-awaited return to a Philippine basketball court on Sunday night, leading Gilas Pilipinas to a dominant victory...

Basketball

With the opening window of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers officially over, Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tim Cone revealed that Justin Brownlee is...

Advertisement