RJ ABARRIENTOS once again played sparingly for Barangay Ginebra in Game 5 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals.
Abarrientos was a non-factor again on Sunday night, ending up with two points, two assists and a turnover in Ginebra’s 73-66 victory over TNT last Sunday where he played for only 12 minutes and eight seconds.
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It was no different in Game 4, where the Barangay Ginebra rookie saw action for a conference-low nine minutes and 22 seconds, finishing with two points and one rebound.
With Abarrientos struggling, Ginebra coach Tim Cone even opted to bring in veteran LA Tenorio in Game 5 where he played for six minutes as the team’s chief ball carrier to give Scottie Thompson some rest.
The dip in the former KBL import's performance, however, doesn’t concern Tenorio a bit, expressing confidence that Abarrientos will bounce back sooner rather than later.
“Kahit nag-sstruggle siya, I still believe in him,” said Tenorio. “I know he is due for a big game and hopefully, that will be next game.”
Game 6 will be held on Wednesday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum. Historically, a Game 6 is good to Abarrientos after he hit his career-high 31 points during the Governors’ Cup 49th Season Finals in a 95-85 loss to TNT.
The 40-year-old Tenorio is certain Abarrientos can snap out of this funk because of his qualities as a player.
“I’m not putting pressure on him but ito ‘yung mga game na alam ko na big-time players will come out. Scottie [Thompson] will be there. I know for sure Scottie, Justin (Brownlee), and Japeth (Aguilar) will be there.
"But hopefully, I’m waiting for the breakout game of RJ. I know and I believe, Game 6, he will come out not offensively but overall, ‘yung contribution and ginagawa niya for the team the whole conference."
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