RJ Abarrientos had a sterling rookie year where he helped Ginebra reach the Finals twice in PBA Season 49.
RJ Abarrientos achieved what his uncle and PBA legend Johnny could not.
This after the younger Abarrientos bagged the Season 49 Rookie of the Year plum during the Leo Awards Sunday, Oct. 5.
While the elder Abarrientos is a 12-time PBA champion and a Most Valuable Player, he did not win the ROY honors.
[ALSO READ: RJ Abarrientos excited to learn from PBA legend, uncle Johnny in Ginebra]
The budding Ginebra star was instrumental in the Gin Kings' two trips to the Finals against TNT a semifinal appearance in the Philippine Cup opposite eventual champion San Miguel.
[ALSO READ: Tenorio not exactly making big deal of Manila Clasico, but excited to face ex-team Ginebra]
It’s not the first in his career, however.
RJ, a spitfire guard who leaves Ginebra fans in awe with almost everything he does on the court, also won the same award in 2023 when he played for Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus in the Korean Basketball League.
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Like most sportswriters, Jan Ballesteros once dreamed of becoming a professional hooper. But he learned the hard way that it’s not for everyone.
He continues to be involved in the sport he loves, but this time as a member of the PBA Press Corps. Aside from primarily covering the PBA, he is also assigned to cover Gilas Pilipinas.