RJ Abarrientos pumped his fist on Sunday evening as he watched the 2024 PBA Draft from a meeting room at a hotel in Taiwan.
Ginebra had just drafted him as the third overall pick.
In Taiwan to fulfill his duties for Strong Group-Pilipinas in the 43rd William Jones Cup, it was Magnolia assistant coach and his uncle Johnny who went to the stage to pick up his Ginebra jersey.
Then came the pressure, slowly creeping in.
He has to accomplish what his Tito Johnny did for Tim Cone during their time in Alaska and Ginebra.
“Siyempre, nakaka-pressure, lalo na’t naging under si Tito Johnny kay Coach Tim. Sabi nga ni Coach Tim, ‘di ba, na if I can be half the player Tito Johnny was, I’ll be a great player,” said the 5-foot-11 sniper from Far Eastern University.
“Hoping talaga ako na ma-match ko yung expectations nila sa akin by giving them championships.”
(C) PBA Images
Johnny won 10 of his 12 championships with Cone.
But RJ could not get too excited for what lies ahead. After all, he still has business to attend to.
On Friday, Strong Group raised its slate to 6-0 after soundly beating Japan’s Under-22 team, 92-79.
Despite their unblemished record, the Jones Cup is still not yet secured.
This weekend, Abarrientos and the Athletics will face the two home teams, including a main event clash against the also-unbeaten team Chinese-Taipei Blue on Sunday.
Winning it all would be the cherry on top for young RJ.
“Ang goal namin ngayon is mabalik yung Jones Cup sa bansa natin. Nagpapasalamat ako kay Boss Frank (Lao), Boss Jacob (Lao), at Coach Charles (Tiu) na ma-experience ko ito bago ako pumunta sa PBA,” he said.
“Only way na makabawi ako sa kanila is mapanalo ‘tong Jones Cup.”
