WHEN Tim Cone said that rookie John Abis has earned the team’s trust after a strong showing in Ginebra’s win over TNT to close out the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup elimination round, most people once again charged it to the multi-titled coach’s tendency to exaggerate.
After all, those comments came after a non-bearing game. Also another thing of note is that entering the playoffs, Cone always had the reputation for sticking with a short rotation during crucial games, which was why fans may have just simply shrugged off his comments.
READ: Ginebra rookie John Abis has earned the team's trust, says Cone
Though it took time, Cone certainly was proven right. After basically missing out the entire six-game semis clash against Rain or Shine, Abis found himself playing crucial minutes in the PBA Finals against TNT.
“Sinasabihan naman ako ng mga teammates at coaches ko na kailangan always ready ako. Pinanghahawakan ko yun. Nag-stay ready ako kung anong ibibigay sa'kin ni coach Tim, kung bubunutin man niya ako o hindi,” Abis said.
“Thankful naman ako na binubunot niya ako sa finals pa talaga. So ayun grabe ang tiwala na binigay sa'kin ni coach Tim.”
Abis turned out to be the final ace up Cone's sleeve, turning to the forward picked 23rd in the 2025 PBA Rookie Draft when Ginebra needed energy to mount a comeback in Games 2 and 4.
Abis answered the call – hitting big baskets and giving Ginebra some much needed jolt on both ends as he was part of the Ginebra five which nearly turned the tide in Game 2, and he was at it again in Game 4 – posting a +13 and +9 in those games.
Those games, however, resulted in losses for Ginebra where Abis also showed signs of being a rookie – losing the ball in a crucial fastbreak in Game 2 and then having his pass deflected late when Ginebra was trying to mount a rally in Game 4.
Such is the ebb and flow of being a rookie who never really saw important action until the finals. All things considered, it’s still a success as Ginebra won the title and Abis proved that with a bit more maturity – he can play in a high-stakes affair like the PBA Finals.
“Kailangan ko rin talaga iimprove yung decision-making. Yun ang kailangan ko iimprove at kailangan ko pa maging pasensyado,” he stated.
While he’s happy to be able to play significant minutes for Ginebra, the only thing that matters to him now is finally experiencing a championship – something that he’s always desired after he and Ginebra assistant Olsen Racela fell short of winning the NCAA championship despite entering the playoffs as the league’s top seed.
“Hindi ko alam. Sobrang saya kasi nakaranas ako ng ganito, sa rookie year ko pa. Since college year ko, di talaga ako nakakuha e Final Four lang tapos pag dating ng pro, nakakuha kaagad ako, sobrang sarap sa feeling,” Abis said.
“Sobrang special for me. Hindi ko makakalimutan to sa buong buhay ko. Naka-save na to sa utak ko, kahit mamatay siguro ako e di ko makakalimutan to.”
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