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.
(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.
“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.”
