OKINAWA – RJ Abarrientos thought that he could show his accuracy from the three-point arc for the 2024 B.League All-Star Weekend.
A deadshot from a distance, the former Far Eastern University marksman believed that he was bound to test his skills against the league’s best shooters after shooting 35.9 percent from deep midway through the season.
But alas, a mistake from a Shinshu Brave Warriors staffer led to him competing in the Skills Challenge instead of throwing three-pointers.
“Akala ko talaga Three-Point Shootout pero nagkamali pala yung staff ng team ko at nalagay ako sa Skills Challenge,” he said with a laugh.
Abarrientos can still hold his own against Japan’s best playmakers, yet he would be the first to admit that he’s facing a monumental task to dislodge those.
“Tinignan ko yung mga makakalaban ko at sila lang naman yung mga players na tinitingala sa Japan,” he said.
Though premier point guard Yuki Togashi had to pull out due to an injury, Abarrientos is still dealing with a tough field which includes Ryusei Shinoyama of Kawasaki Brave Warriors, Hayato Wakugawa of Shiga Lakes, and Masato Abe of Sendai 89ers U-18 team.
But there’s only one name that he is looking at as the favorite to win the contest.
“Nakita ko naman si Yuki Kawamura,” he said, heaping praises to the Yokohama B-Corsairs playmaker. “He’s a young player, halos ka-edad ko pero tinitingala ko talaga siya. Kasi kahit sa height niya, naipapakita niya yung galing niya.”
Coming in with little to no expectations, Abarrientos uttered: “I’m excited to see him and to play against them.”
What meant more for him, though, is a chance to mix it up with his fellow Filipino imports as they compose the majority of the Asia All-Stars team which will go against the Rising Stars squad on Saturday.
“I’m so happy and excited to play with my fellow Filipino players like kuya Thirdy [Ravena], kuya Kiefer [Ravena], Dwight Ramos, and kuya Ray [Parks],” said the first-year player who came from Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus in Korea last year.
“I’m very happy to play here in Japan and very excited to play here sa All-Star Game.” /RSL
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