By: Ernest Tuazon
RJ Abarrientos aims to form a formidable backcourt with Strong Group Athletics’ team captain Kiefer Ravena, hoping to lead the Philippines to victory in the upcoming 43rd William Jones Cup.
Emulating Ravena’s playstyle and basketball IQ, Abarrientos seeks to learn from the accomplished 30-year-old point guard, who recently guided the Shiga Lakes to the B.League Division 2 title.
“Excited din ako na makalaro sila, lalo na si Manong [Kiefer Ravena], magiging duo kami ni Manong dito, lalo’t na Manong and I, hindi na kami naglalayo ng playing style ‘eh,” Abarrientos told Tiebreaker Times.
Reflecting on their partnership during their Gilas days, Abarrientos still feels thrilled to team up again with Ravena.
Both players shared point guard duties for Gilas Pilipinas during the FIBA Asia Cup 2021 Qualifiers and 2022 FIBA Asia Cup, respectively.
“Nung high school pa lang ako, napapanood ko na si Manong sa pro. Sobrang nakaka-warm sa puso and utak na isa sa lino-look up mo na player, makakasama mo both sa Gilas and dito sa Jones Cup. Sobrang laking tulong para sa mga young player here sa Pilipinas,” he added.
(C) B.League
Now a free agent after parting ways with B.League Division 2 team Shinshu, Abarrientos aims to bring the experience and lessons from his two-year stint overseas to a youthful SGA team bound for the Jones Cup.
Abarrientos’ statistics dipped during his time in Shinshu, where he averaged 7.82 points, 2.33 assists, and 1.69 rebounds in 49 games played.
In his rookie season with KBL’s Ulsan Hyundai Mobis, he averaged 13.29 points with 34.4 percent shooting from beyond the arc.
He also had with 4.77 assists, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.34 steals per game in 56 appearances.
“Yung paglalaro sa ibang bansa, madadala ko dito sa Jones Cup. Yung experience, yung maglaro ka in front ng maraming tao, and yung vision ko as a point guard,” he said.
“Siguro yun din yung mga madadala ko and at the same time, na mai-improve ko.”
Ravena and Abarrientos will form the backcourt alongside Tony Ynot, Rhenz Abando, Jordan Heading, and Jonathan Manalili for the upcoming tournament.
