RJ Abarrientos could be required to wear a protective mask for possibly the remainder of the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup semifinals after suffering another nose injury — his second of the same kind in his pro career.
The BPC frontrunner is bracing for that possibility based on the team doctors’ initial assessment following the incident late in their eventual Game 2 victory over Rain or Shine on Friday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
“‘Yun ‘yung sabi ng mga PT. Pero ‘di ko alam eh, bukas pa malalaman,” he told reporters shortly after their 109-103 win that evened the best-of-seven series at 1-1.
Abarrientos was struck by an inadvertent elbow from Jhonard Clarito at the 5:44 mark of the fourth quarter while trying to prevent a basket. Despite the heavy contact, Clarito still completed the three-point play, while Abarrientos was forced to exit the game momentarily as blood streamed from his nose.
He eventually returned in the closing stretch and played through the discomfort, helping Ginebra fend off Rain or Shine’s late push from 17 points down. He finished with 25 points and six assists in the win.
The injury is more concerning since this isn’t the first time Abarrientos has suffered a similar setback.
(C) Ulsan Hyundao Mobis Phoebus
Back in 2023, during his stint with Ulsan Hyundai Mobis in the KBL, he also sustained a nasal bone fracture in a game against Seoul Samsung. This latest incident has become a familiar and unwelcome reminder of that previous injury.
Still, Abarrientos refused to dwell on the contact or any bad blood with Clarito. He stressed that it was simply part of playoff basketball and its physical nature, like how Scottie Thompson downplayed a similar incident involving the same Rain or Shine wing in Game 1 in Antipolo.
“Basketball lang ‘yun. Normal lang,” the 26-year-old playmaker said. “Playoff foul lang ‘yun. Ganun talaga, tanggap-tanggap lang, okay lang ‘yun.
“Basketball, may mangyayaring ganun talaga. Nasa players naman ‘yun kung di naman sinasadya. Pero kanina wala ‘yun.”
More than the injury, Abarrientos is focusing on adjustments heading into Game 3 on Sunday at the same venue, as Ginebra looks to match Rain or Shine’s relentless pace.
“Kailangan namin ma-match ‘yung energy ng Rain or Shine. Kita naman natin yung Rain or Shine, first to fourth quarter walang tinatapong energy,” he said.
“Nasa amin na ‘yun kung paano namin matatapatan, mahihigitan, and ma-co-control ‘yung tempo ng laro namin on offense and defense.”
