AFTER winning a Rookie of the Year for the second time in his pro career, RJ Abarrientos hopes that a championship comes next.
Abarrientos was honored as the Rookie of the Year during the 49th Season Leo Awards on Sunday, two years since winning the same award with the Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus in the Korean Basketball League in the 2022-23 season.
“Medyo hindi ako makapaniwala na [dalawang] Rookie of the Year [awards]. Parang malaking kalokohan, pero ‘yung isa kasi sa Korea kaya parang kapani-paniwala pero siyempre sa PBA, walang back-to-back Rookie of the Year,” said Abarrientos.
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Abarrientos, however, said individual awards aren't his goal, saying he's driven to win his first professional basketball title that he hopes would come sooner rather than later.
“Bonus lang sa akin na makakuha ng individual awards. Siyempre, lahat naman pinapangarap ‘yun. Pero for me, mas bigger picture. Mas gusto ko siyempre makakuha ng championship with the Ginebra team,” said Abarrientos, who came close to winning a championship during the Commissioner's Cup Finals where Ginebra lost Game 7 to TNT.
After a rookie year where he averaged 12.7 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 3.6 assists in 71 games with Ginebra last season, Abarrientos is embracing higher expectations that comes with being a Rookie of the Year winner.
“Pressure din dahil nakakuha ka ng award sa PBA. Expect na mas maraming expectations ‘yung mga coaches and teammates,” said Abarrientos.
Unfortunately for him, Abarrientos’ second season started on the wrong foot as Ginebra lost to Magnolia, 80-73, in the Kings' first game against their former teammate LA Tenorio. Abarrientos tallied 11 points and four assists in the loss.
Abarrientos had mixed feelings seeing LA Tenorio not on the Ginebra bench but on the opposite end of the Manila Clasico rivalry.
Abarrientos said he is thankful for the insights that he gained from Tenorio that helped him navigate through his rookie season.
“Siyempre, for us and for me na naabutan ko siya, sobrang thankful ako at blessed ako na isa ako sa naturuan ni Kuya LA. On the other side, medyo parang masakit dahil nga nasa kabilang team na siya," he said.
"Pero sobrang happy ako kay Kuya LA. Tuluy-tuloy ‘yung naging career niya."
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