Mark Barroca had nothing but praises for Ginebra rookie RJ Abarrientos after the epic Christmas Clasico at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
RJ Abarrientos almost single-handedly willed Ginebra back from a double-digit deficit in the 95-92 win over rival Magnolia in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup Christmas Clasico.
Abarrientos balled out, swishing five three-pointers and ending up with 20 big points as the Gin Kings spiked their win-loss record to 4-2 in the import-spiced tournament.
His heroics did not go unnoticed, even from guys from the other side of the fence.
Mark Barroca, who went up against the fellow Far Eastern University alum almost the entire time, had nothing but praises for the budding Ginebra star.
“Nagulat nga ako kay RJ eh. Pag upo ko — 'di ba galing [22] points (na lamang) kami — 'pag upo ko, biglang pumukol dalawang sunod-sunod (na tres),” said Barroca after the epic battle at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“(After nun) Nabuhayan na (Ginebra). Pagbalik ko, ang hirap na i-stop kasi momentum na eh.”
The seasoned playmaker then proceeded to pay Abarrientos the biggest compliment.
“Sobra 'yung bata, scoring machine talaga. Makikita mo talaga na sobrang talented talaga,” he said.
“'Yan 'yung future ng PBA eh, 'yung mga ganyang talent na alam mo 'yun, any time kahit saan ilagay, pupukol at pupukol talaga. Kumpyansa nya, sobrang taas. Makita mo aura nya kanina nung nakakuha ng rhythm, ang hirap na bantayan.”
With the way the nephew of PBA legend Johnny Abarrientos showed out, it’s hard to disagree with Barroca.