The other half of Gilas Pilipinas’ talented backcourt will also head to Korea.
Just two weeks after SJ Belangel signed with Daegu KOGAS, good pal RJ Abarrientos decided to go pro as well, joining KBL team Ulsan Hyundai Mobis.
Abarrientos agreed in principle to sign with the Phoebus last June 14 – days before Gilas left for Korea.
Yes, this means that the 22-year-old Abarrientos will no longer play out his final four years with Far Eastern University, ending up as a one-and-done.
In his sole year with the Tamaraws, Abarrientos averaged 13.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.53 assists, and 1.13 steals, leading the school to a Final Four appearance.
It was in Gilas back in 2019 where the 5-foot-10 gunner broke out.
Photo from FIBA.basketball
He averaged 8.3 points, 3.7 assists, and 1.3 rebounds in the 2021 Asia Cup Qualifiers; and 7.5 points, 2.0 assists, and 2.0 rebounds during the 2021 Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Belgrade.
Just recently, Abarrientos also impressed in Gilas’ two-game friendly series against Korea. He averaged 12.5 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists over the past two days.
Ulsan Hyundai Mobis will formally introduce Abarrientos to Korea on Monday.
He joins an Ulsan Hyundai Mobis team that is coming off a fourth place finish (30-24) last season.
