Barangay Ginebra managed to level the PBA Commissioner’s Cup finals series against TNT with a gritty 71-70 victory in Game 2. However, one crucial missing piece in their performance has been rookie guard RJ Abarrientos’ offensive contribution.
Abarrientos’ Offensive Struggles in the Finals
The no. 3 overall pick in the last PBA Draft has yet to make a significant impact in the championship series. In Game 2, Abarrientos failed to score from the field, finishing with just one point on a dismal 0-of-7 shooting. His struggles were evident in the plus-minus statistics, where he recorded a -9, showing his limited impact on the game.
His poor performance contrasts with his Game 1 outing, where he managed 13 points in Ginebra’s 95-89 loss. However, even in that game, he struggled with efficiency, shooting only 3-of-10 from the field and registering a -5 in plus-minus.
Coach Tim Cone’s Take on Abarrientos’ Performance
Despite Abarrientos’ shooting woes, Ginebra head coach Tim Cone remains confident in the rookie’s potential. Cone emphasized that unlocking Abarrientos’ offensive game could be a key factor in Game 3, scheduled for Wednesday at the Philsports Arena.
“We need to get RJ untracked. I think that’s going to be important for us to get RJ untracked offensively,” said Cone. “If we can do that, we could maybe squeak out another game in Game 3.”
Cone acknowledged that Abarrientos made a costly decision in the final minutes of Game 2. With Ginebra trailing 69-70 and just over a minute left, the rookie took an ill-advised three-pointer, drawing frustration from the coach. Cone quickly substituted him with Jamie Malonzo after the mistake.
“I thought he took a bad shot at that time. He could have gotten to the basket a little better,” Cone remarked. “He’ll learn from that, he’ll get better from it.”
Balancing Talent and Inexperience
While Abarrientos is a seasoned player in terms of basketball IQ, Cone pointed out that he is still adapting to Ginebra’s system. The rookie’s adjustment to the team’s playstyle remains a work in progress, but Cone believes in his ability to learn and improve.
“He’s a vet in terms of knowing the game, but he’s still a rookie in terms of knowing our game, and the way we play,” Cone explained.
Despite his struggles, Abarrientos was trusted with crucial minutes in the final stretch of Game 2. Cone reaffirmed his confidence in the young guard, stating that he expects him to make better decisions moving forward.
“I had a lot of trust in him that I put him down there in the stretch, and I expect him to make decisions,” Cone added. “He failed from that one and he’ll learn from it.”
Looking Ahead to Game 3
As the finals series progresses, Ginebra will need Abarrientos to find his rhythm and contribute offensively. With the series tied at 1-1, the Kings are hoping their rookie guard can bounce back and provide the spark they need to take control in Game 3. If Abarrientos can break free from his shooting slump, Ginebra’s chances of securing another crucial win will significantly improve.
The spotlight is now on the young playmaker—can he rise to the challenge?