RJ ABARRIENTOS intends to play in Game 3, with or without a mask, after sustaining an injury to his nose on Friday night.
Abarrientos got hit in the nose by a Jhonard Clarito elbow as the Rain or Shine bruiser went up for a shot with 5:44 left in the fourth quarter of Barangay Ginebra's win on Friday night in the PBA 50th Season Commissioner's Cup semifinals.
“Okay naman, feeling ko okay naman ako. Mag-X ray lang tomorrow. Pero okay naman,” said Abarrientos.
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When asked if he is going to wear a mask to protect his nose, Abarrientos said: ‘Yun ang sabi ng mga PT pero hindi ko pa alam. Bukas pa malalaman. Tignan natin bukas.”
The Season 49 Rookie of Year said he didn't take offense from the Clarito elbow. Incidentally, the Rain or Shine player also hit Scottie Thompson with an inadvertent kick in Game 1 that caused a lump on the latter's forehead.
“Basketball lang 'yun. Normal lang 'yun. Playoff foul lang 'yun. Ganun talaga. Tanggap-tanggap lang. Okay lang. That's basketball. May mangyayaring ganun talaga. Kumbaga nasa players na yun kung hindi sinasadya. Pero wala yun,” said Abarrientos.
“Masakit, parang namamaga. Baka mamayang madaling araw, sumakit. Yun yung iniisip ko. Sana paggising ko bukas, okay yung tulog ko,” said Abarrientos.
Abarrientos finished with 25 points, six assists, and two steals, while shooting 3-of-6 from three-point range to help Barangay Ginebra beat Rain or Shine, 109-101, and tie the best-of-seven series at 1-1.
“As a team, ang sinet namin na game plan is ma-match yung energy ng Rain or Shine. Kita naman natin Rain or Shine, first to fourth quarter, walang tinatapong energy. Nasa amin na yun kung paano namin matatapatan, mahihigitan yung tempo ng laro namin,” said Abarrientos.
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