TIM Cone gets a shot at coaching another Abarrientos in the PBA.
Taking advantage of the No. 3 pick it gained from the blockbuster trade with Terrafirma on Saturday, Barangay Ginebra nabbed RJ Abarrientos during Sunday’s PBA Season 49 Draft at Glorietta in Makati.
READ: No. 3 pick RJ Abarrientos completes Ginebra haul from Terrafirma trade
For Cone, the pick was certainly déjà vu, as he also personally picked RJ’s uncle – Johnny Abarrientos – for Alaska with the third overall selection during the 1993 Draft.
“It’s a tough decision for us, but you just can’t ignore the bloodline of Abarrientos,” said Cone afterwards.
Johnny's footsteps that RJ continues to follow
The elder Abarrientos, now a deputy coach at Magnolia, went on to carve out a legendary career in the PBA, where he won 12 championships including a grand slam in 1996, when he was also named the league MVP.
The younger Abarrientos was not around on draft day, as he is with Strong Group Athletics-Pilipinas currently campaigning in the Jones Cup in Taipei.
“It’s a dream come true for him. It’s a dream come true for our family,” said Johnny.
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