RJ Abarrientos vows to be better after learning another lesson the hard way late in Barangay Ginebra’s eventual victory over TNT in a tightly contested Game 2 of the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup Finals on Sunday night.
The rookie guard is charging to experience his premature decision-making on offense late in the match, which Coach Tim Cone did not leave unnoticed — thus, the earful he received from the champion bench tactician.
“Tinatanggap ko ‘yun, na ‘yun ‘yung aking pagkakamali. At I assure na mas magiging better ako after that,” he offered moments after their narrow 71-70 victory witnessed by 12,925 fans at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
That particular play happened at the 1:24-mark of the final frame when Abarrientos launched from the four-point line but missed his target.
Every possession mattered for both squads, but especially for the Kings, as they were staring at a 70-69 deficit after leading by as big as 15 points.
“I think open ako that time, parang sobrang bilis ng nangyayari,” explained the former Far Eastern University star, who only had one point, a rebound, and an assist in the 16 minutes and 34 seconds he played off the bench.
Cone himself could be seen from the sidelines expressing his displeasure with the 25-year-old’s shot selection — so much so that he took him out of the ball game with 1:01 left by subbing in Jamie Malonzo in his place.
The league’s winningest mentor then let it be known to Abarrientos while the latter was walking on his way to the bench, never to be brought back in.
Fortunately for the Kings, Justin Brownlee — plus the backcourt duo of Stephen Holt and Scottie Thompson — made sure that they’d avert disaster with crucial plays, ultimately allowing them to tie the best-of-7 series to a game apiece.
The win also enabled Abarrientos to heave a huge sigh of relief. Still, he’s making sure to bring the lessons from Sunday night — the kind of lessons that remind him that there’s a lot more to be learned as a youngster.
“I’m sorry, ganun lang, tao lang, nagkakamali,” the 2024 third overall pick said. “Kailangan ko lang mag-move forward. Bata pa, young career para sa akin.
“So, tingnan ko lang, and let’s see kung anong matutulong ko sa Game 3, Ayun ‘yung pinaka-crucial, yung Game 3, dahil 1-1 na tayo ngayon. So everybody’s ball game again, so 0-0.”
#WATCH: RJ Abarrientos remains grateful for Coach Tim Cone’s trust despite his struggles in the #PBA2025 Commissioner’s Cup Finals
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— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) March 16, 2025
