Talented young gun RJ Abarrientos was the subject of death threats from gamblers after missing the potential game-tying shot in Game 2 of their PBA Commissioner's Cup quarterfinals series against Meralco.
RJ Abarrientos said that he feared for his life and for his family after being the subject of death threats from fans who seemed to have lost bets during Game 2 of Barangay Ginebra’s quarterfinal series in the ongoing PBA Commissioner's Cup against Meralco last week.
Shortly after the Gin Kings lost the game, Abarrientos encountered numerous threats on social media, including one that allegedly had people follow the 25-year-old from the arena.
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Worried about what could happen, Abarrientos immediately shared the experience on social media, which also prompted the PBA to plunge into action together with the National Bureau of Investigation to find out the identity of the fans.
Despite the quick action, Abarrientos said that it was a difficult thing to go through for him and his family, even as the Gin Kings eventually beat the Meralco Bolts in the decisive Game 3 and moved on to the semifinals. The young gun just couldn’t quite shake it off.
In an interview with News5 after Game 3, Abarrientos said that he left it all up to God to make sure that he or his family didn’t get hurt.
“Mahirap kasi hindi biro yung nangyari kasi family matters eh. So medyo nadamay yung family ko and then especially, nasa public places kami palagi,” said Abarrientos.
“So, siguro, pinag-pray ko lang din na sana maging maayos,” he added.
For the PBA, Commissioner Willie Marcial was adamant that the PBA will protect its players. He also called out fans who were too invested into betting.
[RELATED: PBA coordinates with NBI on RJ Abarrientos death threats post-Game 2, says Marcial]
“Itong mga fans natin eh relax relax lang po kayo. At sport to. Sport. Hindi to gambling, hindi po to casino,” said Marcial.
“So, yung mga players po natin, eh ginagawa lang ang kanilang trabaho,” he added.
Currently, the PBA is set to go on a weeks-long break to give way for Gilas Pilipinas as the national team will be competing in the final window of the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup Wualifiers later this month.
Commissioner's Cup action is set to resume on Wednesday, February 26, where the Gin Kings will be facing off against top-seed Northport Batang Pier in a best-of-seven semifinals series.