MARK Barroca wasted no time hailing RJ Abarrientos as the 'future of the PBA' after battling him for the first very time during their 'Christmas Clasico' clash at the Smart Araneta in the Commissioner's Cup eliminations.
Barroca found himself on the losing end of the match-up between Magnolia and Barangay Ginebra when Abarrientos' drive-draw-and-dish play set up Scottie Thompson for the buzzer-beating three to clinch the thrilling 95-92 win.
Abarrientos also scored all but three of his 20 points in the second half to help the Gin Kings mount a comeback from 22 down. He nailed 5-for-8 from threes and added five assists and three steals in the comeback.
READ Barroca rues 'confusion' left Scottie free for Ginebra game-winner
The 38-year-old Barroca left the game with no doubt in his mind that Abarrientos is the future of the 49-year old pro league.
“Grabe ‘yung bata, scoring machine talaga,” said Barroca of the 25-year-old Abarrientos. “Makita mo talaga ‘yung talent. ‘Yun ang future ng PBA.”
Barroca got a better view of what Abarrientos can do when he was on the bench just before Ginebra started mounting the comeback.
Barroca marvelled at the No. 3 pick in the 49th season draft, especially his ability to shoot from different spots of the floor, and most importantly, shoot with confidence, which makes him a dangerous point guard.
“Nagulat nga ako kay RJ. Nung pag-upo ko, biglang humabol. Dalawang sunod-sunod (na baskets), nabuhayan na. Pagbalik ko, hirap na i-stop kasi nga momentum na,” said the veteran Magnolia guard.
“’Yung ganung talent, anytime, kahit saan mo ilagay, pupukol talaga. ‘Yung kumpiyansa niya, sobrang taas. Kita mo ‘yung aura niya, nakakuha na siya ng rhythm, parang ang hirap na bantayan kasi nga ang layo ng range.”
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