Out to spoil RJ Abarrientos' welcome party with Barangay Ginebra is Rain or Shine, which also has promising rookies in Caelan Tiongson and Felix Lemetti.
RJ Abarrientos is formally making his entry into the PBA with Barangay Ginebra San Miguel when they tackle the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters on the road in the Season 49 Governors’ Cup on Saturday, August 24.
Match is at 6 p.m. at the Candon City Arena in Ilocos Sur.
The nephew of league legend Johnny Abarrientos is expected to make waves for the Barangay the way he did in the Korean Basketball League and in the Japan B.League.
Ginebra coach Tim Cone, widely regarded as coaching GOAT, said so himself.
[RELATED STORY: Best player in the PBA? Like his uncle Johnny, Tim Cone has high expectations for no. 3 pick RJ Abarrientos]
But the No. 3 overall pick in the recent Rookie Draft is not the only one making his debut with the crowd darlings.
Fresh from the offseason trade between Ginebra and Terrafirma that shook Philippine basketball, newly minted Rookie of the Year Stephen Holt and Isaac Go will finally see action in their new threads.
History suggests it would take a while for these three to get a full grasp of Cone’s vaunted triangle system. But once they do, success may follow.
While these three would want a triumphant welcome, standing on their way is the retooled Rain or Shine.
[WATCH: PBA Game Highlights: Rain or Shine turns in 29 assists in first win over Blackwater]
The Elasto Painters added rookies Caelan Tiongson and Felix Lemetti in the hopes of turning a promising young lineup into a contender.
They impressed in their PBA debuts with 15 and 11 points, respectively, in a 110-97 win over Blackwater last Tuesday, Aug. 20.
[ALSO READ: PBA: Aaron Fuller leads Rain or Shine to winning start vs Blackwater]
Now, how they will fare against Ginebra’s new kids will intrigue fans in the lone match today.