Ginebra governor Alfrancis Chua sees flashes of a PBA icon in RJ Abarrientos as he had the chance to sit down and talk with the incoming rookie during Monday’s contract signing that ended with the latter inking a three-year deal.
The amiable executive is in awe of the confidence that the 24-year-old guard exudes, so much so that it reminds him of LA Tenorio.
“‘Yung pagkakumpiyansa niya, siya pa lang nakita kong ganun. Pero ‘yung sabihin niya, ‘De, kaya natin i-ano ‘to’ ganito, parang si LA Tenorio,” he said.
“‘Yung kumpiyansa, ‘yung vision niya kung ano mangyayari sa team, parang si LA,” added the San Miguel Corporation sports director.
Chua said as much during the Next Generation Basketball League’s group draw and press conference at District 8 in San Juan, coming straight from the SMC office in Pasig where he and Abarrientos put pen to paper.
The newly-elected PBA vice chair confirmed that the former KBL and B.League import is ready for his Kings debut on Wednesday in Macau, where they will face P.League+ champions New Taipei in an exhibition game.
Many are waiting to see how he’ll blend with the rejigged Barangay. For Chua, in the long-term, he simply hopes to see Abarrientos walk the talk.
“He’s gonna be there on the 31st. So bibiyahe sila tomorrow and then makita natin siya roon. He’s very excited,” Chua said.
“Ang gusto ko lang sa batang ‘yun nung kausap ko, grabe kumpiyansa ng bata, the way he talks. Sabi ko lang sa kanya, ‘Kung ano sinasabi mo bata, kailangan gawin mo sa laro ‘yan.’ Tsaka magalang na bata,” he added.
Abarrientos’ arrival also infuses fresher blood to Ginebra, who let go of both Christian Standhardinger and Stanley Pringle via trade with Terrafirma in a deal that also involved a pick swap – which they used to draft the FEU product.
The third overall pick of the Season 49 Draft is now part of the franchise’s new beginning and needless to say, Chua is excited with what the future holds.
“Kumbaga sa auto ‘yun, ‘pag bago kotse mo masarap eh,” he said. “Masarap manenuhin, masarap bihisan. Kasi ‘pag luma na, mahina na aircon, mahirap na patakbuhin e. Ito, ‘pag ganitong mga bago, you can create something.
“Maganda sa mata ‘yung nakakakita ng kakaiba. Nung nagpunta ako sa ensayo, parang maaliwalas,” the 58-year-old continued. “Kasi siyempre, mga ibang mukha eh. Kaya sana, maganda ipakita ng team.”
