There is no losing, just learning, for RJ Abarrientos as Ginebra faltered to repeat champion TNT in the PBA Governors' Cup Finals — on his career night.
RJ Abarrientos saw his career night go down the drain as TNT bested Ginebra for the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup title on Friday, Nov. 8.
Struggling for most of the best-of-seven finale, Abarrientos finally came alive and fired a career-high 31 points highlighted by three triples for the Gin Kings.
But the Tropang Giga still went on to hammer out a come-from-behind 95-85 win in Game 6 for their second straight crown in the conference and 10th overall.
“Wala, eh. Buhos na talaga. Lahat iwan sa floor, matalo manalo. Sabi nga nila, like June Mar Fajardo (of San Miguel) said, mayroong matatalo, mayroong mananalo. 'Yun 'yung basketball,” said Abarrientos.
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It was the nephew of PBA great Johnny Abarrientos’ best outing in the Finals after averaging a subpar 5.2 pts, 2.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists in the first five games.
Feeling he needed a breakout, Abarrientos gave it his all in the second period where he scored 18 of his total output as Ginebra took a 43-42 lead at the break.
The rest of the Gin Kings picked up where he left off and even led 68-57 before the Tropang Giga slowly chipped away at the lead with a run bridging the third and fourth periods.
(RJ Abarrientos enthralls Ginebra fans in Game 6 of the PBA Season 49 Governors' Cup Finals on Friday, Nov. 8. | Photo (c) RM Chua/One Sports)
Asked what his takeaways were from his first Finals experience in the league, the Ginebra rookie stated the obvious.
“I need to be consistent lang,” Abarrientos said.
“Tatanggapin ko siya na talo pa rin. Pero this game is more on learnings, not losing. Dadalhin ko 'to. Ilalagay ko 'to sa pocket ko, ilalagay ko 'to sa bag ko. Yep, paghihirapan ko kung ano pa 'yung kakulangan ko.”
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After getting his taste of a thrilling Last Dance, Abarrientos yearns for more. Perhaps he will come out with a championship trophy one day, too.
“Nakakadagdag ng gutom. Kaunting pahinga lang. Kaunting rest lang, and then back to work ulit,” he said.
(With reports from Xander Cipriano/One Sports Digital)