PBA third overall pick RJ Abarrientos inks three-year deal with Ginebra

RJ Abarrientos is officially a Gin King.

The third overall pick during the recent PBA Rookie Draft has agreed to sign a three-year deal with Barangay Ginebra on Monday, marking a new era in his young basketball career.

 

 

 

 

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Abarrientos spent one season with Far Eastern University in the UAAP before deciding to make a leap to the professional ranks, plying his trade abroad and suited up with Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus in Korea then the Shinshu Brave Warriors in Japan.

During his stint with Ulsan, the 24-year-old guard was named the KBL Rookie of the Year.

Recently, he joined Strong Group Athletics in their campaign at the 2024 William Jones Cup, which they swept to win the title for the Philippines.

Abarrientos is tipped to be a key piece for rebuilding Ginebra, which recently traded away two veterans in Christian Standhardinger and Stanley Pringle to Terrafirma in exchange for Stephen Holt and Isaac Go.

Abarrientos, the nephew of legendary PBA cager Johnny Abarrientos who flourished under the guidance of current Ginebra coach Tim Cone during their days with the Alaska franchise, won't have a shortage of guidance on his new team.

He is expected to learn the likes of elite backcourt generals LA Tenorio and Scottie Thompson as well as other seasoned ballers in Japeth Aguilar, Jamie Malonzo, and Maverick Ahanmisi.

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA Integrated News