WHEN Rondae Hollis-Jefferson battles against RJ Abarrientos in the 2024 PBA 49th Season Governors’ Cup starting Sunday, it won’t be the first time that the two players will be on the same floor.
During the 2022-23 season, Hollis-Jefferson and Abarrientos were both in the Korean Basketball League, playing for Jeonju KCC Egis and Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus respectively, with Abarrientos being part of the first wave of Filipino players who took their act overseas.
Even back then, Hollis-Jefferson revealed that he was already impressed with the 5-foot-11 Abarrientos, even saying that the former Far Eastern University guard has shades of an NBA superstar in him.
“I was in Korea when he was there,” Hollis-Jefferson told reporters after Thursday’s PBA finals press conference. “I’ve been watching him. And that was his first year as a pro. I was watching him and I love his game.”
“I used to call home and be like ‘This dude, he is like an Asian Steph Curry. He does the fancy dribble, pulling up from deep.' I always loved his game since Korea,” said Hollis-Jefferson, who had a six-year NBA career.
Fast forward to 2024 and their paths have once again crossed as Hollis-Jefferson, in his third stint as TNT import, faces Abarrientos, in his rookie season with Barangay Ginebra, in the PBA Governors’ Cup finals.
The 29-year-old Hollis-Jefferson, eyeing his second career PBA crown, looking to do so at the expense of Barangay Ginebra again, said Abarrientos offers a unique style of play that he has showed since his days in Korea to the Gin Kings.
READ: After TR7, Abarrientos looks forward to match-up with 'The Blur'
“I think he adds that kind of flare. Coach Tim is an old school coach. You can tell in his offense. He has his way. But you bring in RJ, a younger guy, he adds that youthfulness, that flare, to give him a little upbeat tempo,” said Hollis-Jefferson.
“I think he is talented. He makes his teammates better which is amazing. You have to give him credit."
The TNT import observed even during the PBA finals press conference that the 25-year-old Abarrientos is already fitting right in to the team full of veterans even in just his rookie conference with Barangay Ginebra.
“They are playing extremely well. They are joking and having fun. I feel like a lot of times, that’s half the battle when you have a group of guys that really get along with each other. It goes a long way,” said Hollis-Jefferson.
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