RJ Abarrientos has been to the SMART Araneta Coliseum many times in the past, but it wasn’t until Tuesday night that he finally played in the historic venue.
It may be hard to believe, but the young star had never experienced getting his feet wet in the vaunted Big Dome prior to his second PBA game, in Barangay Ginebra’s eventual win over San Miguel in Season 49 Governors’ Cup action.
“Actually, ito ‘yung first game ko sa Araneta,” he told reporters moments after their 108-102 victory they pulled off big thanks to Justin Brownlee’s 51.
He admitted it could be tough to fathom at first, given that he was a product of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP)
As it’s been known, the country’s top collegiate league has always played most of its games in Araneta since time immemorial, especially men’s basketball.
The FEU product, though, played at a time when the UAAP was still adhering to health and safety protocols due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
He suited up in 2022, which also proved to be his first and last stint with the Tamaraws. He eventually turned pro through the Asian Player Quota program of the Korean Basketball League, signing with the Ulsan Mobis Phoebus.
“Kasi ‘yung bubble nung first year ko, was sa MOA,” the 24-year-old Abarrientos explained. “So, this is my first game sa Araneta na real game.
“Kasi, nakapunta na ‘ko ng Araneta – of course, nanonood ako. Pero, ‘yung first game ko talaga itong game na ‘to sa Araneta,” he added.
It was just his first game in the venue, but Araneta was good to him. After a horrible 1-of-15 outing in his PBA debut versus Rain or Shine last Saturday in Candon, Abarrientos had 13 points on 41.7-percent shooting this time.
“‘Di lang ako masyadong nagisip,” he said of the rebound. “Gusto ko lang din makatulong sa team na makuha ‘yung first win namin.
“Very crucial for us. For me also, kasi galing nga ako ng bad game. Very happy na nakatulong ako sa team, ‘di lang sa offense pati sa defense, pati sa mga maliliit na bagay na wala sa stats. I’m very happy about that.”
Abarrientos expressed gratitude as well to his coaches and teammates, especially his “Kuya” LA Tenorio for allowing him to play the way he did.
“Si Coach O (Olsen Racela) lang din nagsabi sa akin na itira mo lang, gawin mo lang yung part mo, gawin mo lang ‘yung game mo. ‘Wag ka masyado mag-isip, alam namin na galing ka sa international, galing ka sa pro,” he said.
“Big credit sa coaches dahil hinahayaan lang nila ako maglaro, teammates ko, especially Kuya LA. Siya lagi nagbibigay sa akin sa sidelines, nakikita niyo naman,” he added.
“Very thankful and grateful sa mga beteranong ganun.”
