RJ Abarrientos enjoys every minute of his battle against Terrence Romeo but sets aside his being a fanboy come game time in the PBA Governors’ Cup.
RJ Abarrientos and Terrence Romeo have found themselves locking horns in the ongoing PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup semifinal showdown between sister teams Ginebra and San Miguel.
Abarrientos and Romeo both suited up for the same school, Far Eastern U, though the latter played years ahead of the former.
The Gin Kings rookie admitted to being a fan of Romeo, but he does not let this get to him once they step on the court.
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“Si Kuya Terrence, one of the best players sa FEU. My idol of course,” said Abarrientos.
“Pero siyempre, pagdating sa court, professional tayo. Walang friend-friend, walang kaibigan.”
To help make his point, the 5-foot-9 playmaker referred to the friendship between longtime Gilas teammates and Dota buddies June Mar Fajardo, also of the Beermen, and Japeth Aguilar, who is with Ginebra.
“Just like Japeth and June Mar, matagal sila nagsama sa Gilas [pero] pagdating sa semis, pagdating dito sa trabaho, siguro, wala munang kaibigan. Trabaho lang. 'Yun 'yung respetong sinasabi ko,” Abarrientos said.
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Abarrientos is relishing the match-up between him and Romeo as he tries to measure up against the former PBA scoring champion.
On Friday, Oct. 18, Abarrientos won the battle, highlighted by his career-high 28-point performance in the Gin Kings' 121-92 win over the Beermen in Game 5 that put them on top once again, 3-2, in the best-of-seven semis.
“Of course [na-e-enjoy 'yung matchup]. Napapanood ko lang sila before sa UAAP. Nag-start si Kuya Terrence sa PBA career niya, high school pa lang ako,” said Abarrientos.
“Ngayon natsa-challenge akong bantayan siya, na iskoran siya, kasi si Kuya Terrence, idol ko siya since birth.”
The two spitfire guards will meet anew on the court when Game 6 unfurls on Sunday, Oct. 20, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.