The two young studs are killing it over there in South Korea.
From K-Drama, to K-Pop, all the way to Samgyeopsal, the country has really embraced many parts of the Korean culture.
A couple of Filipino hoopers, however, are doing the same thing in reverse as they continue to infuse the Philippine brand of play in the Korean Basketball League (KBL). We’re talking about none other than RJ Abarrientos and Rhenz Abando.
The two young stars have become fan favorites in the KBL. Abando’s highwire act has been a major attraction for Anyang KGC who recently won the EASL Champions Week tourney. Abarrientos meanwhile, is also building his own fanbase as he keeps on producing stellar numbers for Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus.
Their popularity and fine play have definitely put them in the running to win the Rookie of the Year trophy for the 2022-23 KBL season.
Abando is averaging 9.1 points, 2.2 rebounds, and an assist for the top team in the Korean League. And when he’s given the opportunity, the former rookie-MVP of the NCAA is able to produce big numbers. His career-high in the KBL is 30 points, and just in the month of March, he’s scored in double-digits three times including a 28-point and a 19-point outing. The reigning KBL Slam Dunk king is a crowd-pleaser and that should count for something as well.
In Abarriento’s case, the ROY plum might end up in his hands considering his 12.9 points, 2.9 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 1.5 steals per game for the KBL’s fourth best squad. Summing up how good he has been overseas is his output this month. The FEU product has yet to score fewer than 12 markers in March. He’s also put up 23 points and 22 points in a couple of wins by Mobis Phoebus.
Being in the top five in assists and steals, RJ’s name has also been brought up in MVP conversations. A Filipino rookie-MVP in the KBL? That’s still a tall order at the moment. But hey, we’ve seen crazier things.