Young Abarrientos repays Cone’s faith

Young Abarrientos repays Cone’s faith | Daily Tribune

With the game on the line, Barangay Ginebra head coach Tim Cone put their fate in the hands of his youngest player on the court.

Rookie RJ Abarrientos did not disappoint after coming up with the amazing winning play to beat Magnolia, 95-92, in another Manila Clasico to remember in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup Christmas Day special at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The third overall pick in the last Draft, drove hard to the basket before kicking the ball out to a wide-open Scottie Thompson for the left-corner triple at the buzzer which sent the 12,198 crowd of mostly Ginebra fans to a frenzied celebration.

Abarrientos’ great decision-making completed the Kings’ comeback from 22 points down in the last three minutes of the third quarter for their fourth win in six games.

“It was designed for RJ to make the decision. We wanted to get the ball into RJ’s hand and put him in a pick-and-roll situation with Justin (Brownlee),” Cone said.

“So, we wanted to flare Justin out and we were spreading everybody out. We’re hoping that RJ would get some penetration inside the paint, either throw it back to Justin or find somebody open,” Cone added.

Magnolia guard Rome dela Rosa tied the game at 92 before Cone sued for time to draw up the winning play.

“We put the game on RJ’s hand and he delivered with a great pass to Scottie,” Cone said of his 25-year-old court general.

Abarrientos waxed-hot in the second half where he scored 17 of his 20 points including key baskets that fueled Ginebra’s run.

But his quick thinking and great find highlighted his first-ever rivalry game.

“Coach Tim drew that out during the time out. I thought momentum was on my side, but I saw the defense of Magnolia collapse on me that’s why I saw Kuya Scottie,” Abarrientos said.

“We know Kuya Scottie is there for those big shots so there’s no doubt in giving him the ball. He’s open and he hit it.”

The Manila Clasico also pitted Abarrientos against his legendary uncle Johnny Abarrientos, who now works as a deputy for the Hotshots.

Both Abarrientos were picked third overall in drafts 31 years apart, coincidentally by teams Cone handles.

“Everyone wants to go home with the win, even Tito. Just like Coach Tim said, NSD, never-say-die. We needed to show our best for the crowd especially in this Manila Clasico,” the young Abarrientos said.

“It’s special for the Ginebra team and this is special for me because this is my first time playing in the Manila Clasico and then (against) my uncle. But for me, this is just one game and we need to move forward to our next games.”