ROOKIE John Abis didn’t score a single point as he played his most ‘significant’ minutes in his young PBA career in Ginebra’s 93-86 win over TNT to close out the Commissioner’s Cup elimination round.
He didn’t even take a single shot.
But if that game was a tryout for some playoff minutes, then the young forward out of University of Perpetual Help certainly made his case.
The 6'3 Abis played nine minutes in the second quarter of Ginebra’s win – grabbing four rebounds and dishing out two assists in that stretch where the Gin Kings created a bit of separation from the Tropang 5G.
With his energy, decision making and defense – coach Tim Cone certainly took notice.
“I was really pleased with John,” Cone said of the 24-year-old selected 23rd in the 2025 PBA Rookie Draft.
“He’s been really performing in practice and we, the coaching staff, wanted to reward him for all the work he’s doing in practice. He’s playing really well. We wanted to reward him by getting him some minutes early.”
READ: Ginebra outplays TNT, sets up PBA quarterfinal playoff vs Phoenix
Not a few Ginebra diehards have clamored for Abis to see more minutes – especially with their depleted roster in the wings after Jayson David’s season ending ACL injury.
Some have even likened Abis’ style to David, and even Scottie Thompson – players who can inject energy in an instant with their hustle, and their ability to grab the rebound and start the break on their own.
While there’s no assurance that Abis will be getting major minutes in the coming playoffs, he’s shown Cone and his coaches that he can play when given the burn time.
“Everytime you come out and do something like that you build trust. With your staff and with your teammates, you build trust when you come out and play like that,” Cone said.
“So he’s building trust with us and at this point we wouldn’t be afraid to play him for the playoffs.”
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