In his second outing in the UAAP Season 84 Men’s Basketball Tournament, RJ Abarrientos proved once again why he is one of the top young guards in the country.
He led Far Eastern University with 16 points, five rebounds, and three assists in close to 28 minutes of action. All this in its 70-79 loss against defending champions Ateneo de Manila University.
The game was noteworthy it reunited Abarrientos with the likes of coach Tab Baldwin, center Ange Kouame, and SJ Belangel. He worked with them as part of Gilas Pilipinas’ campaigns in the FIBA Asia Cup 2021 qualifiers; and the 2020 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Belgrade.
“Siyempre nakakamiss, unang-una, ang samahan namin sa Gilas.
“Yung mga sinabing naging teammate ko, naging part ng Gilas, sila Dave (Ildefonso), sila SJ. And more, siguro naging excited ako dahil alam ko gaano sila ka-competitive maglaro individually,” said the 22-year-old guard, who is in his first year in the collegiate division.
“Alam ko rin na ang Ateneo ay one of the best teams sa collegiate. Sobrang nakaka-excite kase dahil unang-una pinaghandaan namin ito,” he continued.
Hindi lang ako (kundi) yung buong team, yung preparation ng coaches, yung game plan ng coaches… Talagang binigay namin yung lahat ng effort namin sa game na ito.”
Abarrientos proved to be a thorn against the Blue Eagles all throughout the contest. For the general public, not a lot of people knew how good the 5-foot-11 former Baby Tamaraw was until he first played under Baldwin in the Clark-hosted FIBA Asia Cup 2021 qualifiers.
Considering that was stifled by the lack of sports amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, he was able to hold his own against veteran internationals under the tutelage of the erstwhile New Zealand national team mentor. It is safe to say that both of them have left a good impression on each other after they represented the Philippines.
“Nakausap ko si coach Tab before the game,” explained the nephew of PBA legend Johnny Abarrientos. “Kaunting chikahan lang then, yup, nakakamiss dahil kita-kita kami sa court after Gilas. Nakakatuwa and then thank you dahil nandito nanaman kami sa court para maglaban-laban.
“(Pagkatapos ng laro), tinanong lang niya yung sa ankle ko nga. Nadaganan ako ni Ange eh. Nagtanong lang siya kung kamusta yung nararamdaman ko doon. And yeah, about the game lang.”
Aside from the outcome, things could have turned out worse for Abarrientos and the rest of the FEU camp. The rookie sensation had an accidental collision with Kouame while dishing out an assist to center Emman Ojoula, who cut Ateneo’s lead to 66-72 with four minutes in the game left.
With him clutching his leg, people around him and those watching outside the venue feared for the worst. Thankfully we carried on soon after and he is already looking forward to how FEU can bounce back in its next game, which shall be up against host school De La Salle University.
“Sabi ni coach Olsen, kailagan lang namin din mag-move on dahil dikit-dikit yung games eh. Ilang days lang yung preparation namin. Bukas lang ata and then balik ulit nanaman kami para maglaro.”
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