Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

Basketball

RJ Abarrientos won’t underestimate TNT even without ‘Kuya’ Jayson Castro


RJ Abarrientos is under no illusion that things would be easier for Barangay Ginebra in its upcoming rematch with TNT in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup Finals just because Jayson Castro is out of the equation.

The well-travelled rookie said that the Kings will still face a tough best-of-7 series ahead as the Tropang Giga remain intact despite losing the veteran floor general due to a patellar tendon tear on his right knee.

“Mahirap pa rin,” he said shortly after their 126-99 win to finish off NorthPort in Game 5 of the semis Friday night at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

“Hindi naman ibig sabihin na wala si Kuya Jayson, ‘yun na ‘yung parang give-up ng Talk N Text eh. Gagawa sila ng paraan.”

Some believe that Abarrientos will have one less problem to worry about in next week’s Finals now that he won’t have to think much of a tormentor.

The former Filipino import got schooled by Castro during the Season 49 Governors’ Cup Finals, which saw the 38-year-old earn his way toward Finals MVP honors after leading TNT to a back-to-back.

Even Abarrientos himself had to concede to the masterclass his ‘Kuya Jayson’ held during the championship series that lasted six games.

But the former FEU star isn’t one to make things about himself, and the same goes for the way he and Ginebra approach the title bout.

2024-25-PBA-Commissioners-Cup-SF-G5-Northport-vs-Ginebra-RJ-Abarrientos RJ Abarrientos won’t underestimate TNT even without ‘Kuya’ Jayson Castro Basketball News PBA  - philippine sports news

(C) PBA Images

“We’re not looking at it na si Kuya Jayson wala, itong player na ‘to pagod, itong player na ‘to injured,” said Abarrientos, who had 20 points in Game 5. “Siguro ‘yung pinapahalagahan lang namin ngayon is ‘yung chemistry namin.

“Nandiyan si Jamie [Malonzo], nandiyan si Miah [Gray], nakabalik sila; si Troy [Rosario] nasa amin na. ‘Yun lang ‘yung titingnan namin na paraan na kalabanin itong Talk N Text sa rematch ng Finals.”

But he won’t deny that he’s gunning for a much better showing in the Finals this time after his first attempt for a championship turned out forgettable.

#ReadMore  Coach Scottie? Thompson's mentorship transforms Perpetual's journey

Mindset ko lang is lagi lang makatulong galing sa bench,” offered the third overall selection of the 2024 PBA Rookie Draft.

“‘Yung first five namin, kailangan din makakuha ng rhythm para ‘yung momentum tuloy tuloy pagpasok ng bench namin,” he added.

“Sana, maging better din individually ‘yung game ko noong last Finals.”

Written By

Oftentimes on the sidelines. Forever a student of the game. Morayta-bred.




You May Also Like

Basketball

Leo Austria and San Miguel remain unfazed by soaring expectations as they look to halt TNT’s bid for PBA immortality in the Philippine Cup...

Basketball

Don’t even bother throwing any ‘asa sa import’ jab at Chot Reyes and TNT. No one from the Tropang 5G is giving much thought...

Basketball

Tim Cone believes fatigue will be Gilas Pilipinas’ biggest challenge as the national team ramps up preparations for the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 this...

Basketball

June Mar Fajardo allayed fears of his injury worsening after hurting his leg early in San Miguel’s eventual win over Barangay Ginebra in the...

Basketball

Winning a rare PBA Grand Slam won’t be the only history Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser that could achieve should he and TNT succeed in their bid,...

Basketball

LA Tenorio’s game-winning three in Game 6 stung Jericho Cruz so badly that he went sleepless trying to process what happened. The shot happened...

Basketball

Seeing LA Tenorio’s exploits to will Ginebra past San Miguel in Game 6 of their PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup semis battle lit a...

Basketball

No trilogy is taking place in the PBA Season 49, as San Miguel tore up the script by ousting Barangay Ginebra, 100-93, to advance...

Advertisement