PBA: ‘2-time ROY’ RJ Abarrientos shifts focus to winning title for Ginebra

Barangay Ginebra’s RJ Abarrientos. Photo from PBA Images.MANILA — Being a two-time Rookie of the Year is as rare as it could get, but Barangay Ginebra’s RJ Abarrientos just earned himself this feat.

Already a ROY awardee in the Korean Basketball League in 2023, the Far Eastern University product achieved the same plum, this time in the Philippines, following his admirable PBA rookie year in Season 49.

“Medyo ‘di kapani-paniwala na back-to-back rookie of the year ‘di ba? Pero thankful ako,” Abarrientos quipped following their 80-73 loss to the Magnolia Hotshots in the PBA 50 opener last Sunday. “Lahat naman deserving, blessed lang ako na ako 'yung nakakuha.”

The third overall pick of last year’s draft had a solid first year in the PBA, putting up 12.7 points, 3.6 assists, and 2.8 rebounds in 71 games, serving as a key cog for the Gin Kings who reached the finals twice in the three conferences.

However, now that he has cemented himself as the top young star of the PBA, Abarrientos is now shifting his focus to helping Ginbra win its first title since January 2023.

“Bonus lang sa akin na may individual awards,” he said. “Mas gusto kong makakuha ng championship with Ginebra. It’s a motivation kasi nakakuha na naman ako after sa Korea, pero pressure din ‘to kasi mas marami pa lalong expectations from coaches and teammates.”

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