Even RJ Abarrientos couldn’t help but make fun of his odd situation after winning the second Rookie of the Year award of his young career.
The Ginebra guard was crowned as the PBA Season 49’s top rookie in the Leo Awards on Sunday — two years after earning the same title with Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus in his first and lone stint in the Korean Basketball League.
“‘Yun nga eh, medyo hindi kapani-paniwala dahil back-to-back Rookie of the Year — parang kalokohan, ‘di ba,” he said with a grin on his face.
“Pero ‘yung isa kasi sa Korea, kaya medyo kapani-paniwala. Pero siyempre sa PBA, walang back-to-back Rookie of the Year, medyo anga-anga ‘yun,” he continued with a chuckle, drawing giggles from members of the press.
(C) KBL
Nonetheless, Abarrientos is blessed to be recognized with the award, where he beat Caelan Tiongson of Rain or Shine and Blackwater’s Sedrick Bareifled.
“Thankful ako dahil nabigay sa akin ‘yung Rookie of the Year. Lahat naman deserving sa mga nakasama ko, sa mga naging nominee. Blessed ako na ibinigay sa akin,” said the no. 3 overall pick of the 2024 PBA Draft.
By winning the ROTY plum, Abarrientos has become the first Ginebra player to accomplish as much since Greg Slaughter in 2014. The 7-foot big man was even there to witness his coronation, too, in a surprise appearance in the rites.
Still, the nephew of the legendary ‘Flying A’ is aiming for success far bigger than individual awards — league championships, to be precise.
“Bonus lang sa akin makakuha ng individual awards. Siyempre lahat naman pinapangarap yun. Pero for me mas bigger picture, mas gusto ko siyempre makakuha ng championship with Ginebra,” the FEU product said.
His major win could’ve been sweeter, though, had the Kings managed to ace their Season 50 Philippine Cup opener against Magnolia.
Abarrientos could only lament their “unacceptable” performance that led to the 80-73 loss. However, he’s simply setting his sights on their next games ahead, looking at the opportunity to bounce back and get on the right track.
“Unacceptable yung nangyari, itong pagkatalo namin. Pero siyempre marami pang games so kailangan lang namin makabawi,” he said.
#WATCH: RJ Abarrientos admits it hurt seeing his Kuya LA Tenorio on the other side of the Manila Clasico 🏀#ReadMore 👉 https://t.co/120a8o53RM
📹 @justinebacnis /Tiebreaker Times#PBA50 #RivalrySunday pic.twitter.com/jQVNnw84TD
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) October 5, 2025
