RJ Abarrientos made the most of his "accidental" Skills Challenge stint, placing third in Okinawa.
Yokohama B-Corsairs star Yuki Kawamura didn't have a perfect run this time, but he still ended up defending his B.League All-Star Skills Challenge crown Saturday in Okinawa for the 2024 B.League All-Star Weekend.
The 22-year-old speedster had no troubles for the rest of the course, even as he missed his first pass. He clocked in a blitzing 21.2 seconds to edge out Kawasaki Brave Thunders guard Ryusei Shinoyama (22.9).
Filipino cager RJ Abarrientos of the Shinshu Brave Warriors wound up third after logging 26.5 seconds, marking his first All-Star experience in Japan.
[RELATED STORY: B.LEAGUE: Filipino hoopers let loose during kulitan moments before All-Star game]
It was a solid result for RJ, who earlier said he was supposed to join the Three-Point shootout but his team staff made a a slight boo-boo.
“Akala ko talaga three-point shootout. Nagkamali staff ng team ko,” he told Cignal.
Still, the spitfire guard cherished the opportunity to join his first All-Star festivities and compete against some of the league’s best, including the reigning MVP in Kawamura, who won last year's Skills Challenge in record time of 20.9 seconds.
Teen cagers Hayato Wakugawa (37.5) and Masato Abe (46.4) placed fourth and fifth, respectively. Chiba Jets star playmaker Yuki Togashi missed the competition due to an apparent knee injury.
(With reports from Randolph Leongson/Cignal)