RJ Abarrientos figured in his maiden Manila Clasico experience on Christmas Day when Barangay Ginebra faced Magnolia on Wednesday night.
But making it all the more special was that it marked the very first time that he went up against his uncle, Johnny Abarrientos — easily serving as one of the more interesting storylines that added even more flair to this rivalry.
And yes, for the first time as well, the third overall picks of 1993 and 2024 — both coincidentally were selections of Coach Tim Cone — met.
“Growing up with my Tito talagang chine-cherish ko every moment eh,” said the former Filipino import. “Ngayong nasa PBA na ‘ko, bumalik ako coming from [my] international [career], sobrang happy ako na nakalaban ko si Tito.”
The younger Abarrientos has always been vocal of how much he reveres the ‘Flying A’ ever since he was little, and so it was inevitable that he put his best foot forward playing against the team where his Tito serves as a deputy.
RJ fired 20 points, 17 of which he made in the second half as he helped power the Kings’ comeback from as much as 22 down for the 95-92 win — much to the delight of the 12,198 pro-Ginebra crowd at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
That win helped maintain Ginebra’s mastery of the Hotshots in the Christmas Clasico, as it’s now won for the fifth time in their six December 25 meetings.
But more importantly for him and the crowd darlings, the victory got them back on track in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup after suffering a 17-point meltdown at the hands of Converge in Batangas City last Saturday.
It was a sterling performance from the former Far Eastern University star, who after going on a hot streak in the third became involved in the play that sealed the triumph and ultimately hiked their win-loss record to 4-2.
Abarrientos kicked it out to an open Scottie Thompson for a triple from the left corner, and the former league MVP swished it in before time expired.
“Everybody’s going to remember Scottie’s shot, but it was this guy who got the penetration and the kick and the pass to him,” said Coach Tim Cone, proud of how his prized guard responded to the play they designed for him.
RJ did get some one-up of sorts on his uncle, but the respect and admiration he has toward the 1996 PBA MVP will always be there no matter what.
“Lagi ko naman sinasabi sa mga interviews eh, si Tito laging nandiyan ‘yan to support me. Like a father-figure na ‘yan sa akin simula nung bata ako,” he said.
“He always guides me. Kahit sa bahay, kahit hindi sa basketball, nandiyan siya,” the 25-year-old added.
“Very thankful ako na laging nandiyan ‘yung tito ko.”
