RJ Abarrientos, Stephen Holt and the rest of the Ginebra Gin Kings needed a game-winning triple in OT to beat Converge and advance to the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup semifinals.
RJ Abarrientos was still over the moon just moments after Ginebra snatched a 99-98 OT win over Converge in their do-or-die PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup quarterfinal match last Dec. 28.
That’s because the Gin Kings needed to overcome Juan Gomez de Liaño and a seven-point deficit in the endgame, capped by a Stephen Holt game-winner from the rainbow country.
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“Sobrang, alam mo yun, parang nasa Ginebra ka na tapos nakikita mo pa mga shots na mga ganun. So parang times two times three yung saya e,” said Abarrientos.
“The way mag comeback yung team namin from down seven, six ba yun? Wala na kaming time. Wala na kaming mabunot injured din si Jayson (David).”
While he didn’t make the last shot, the pint-sized guard made his presence felt the entire game with 20 points, three assists, and two steals.
It was the perfect follow-up to a career-high 35 points in a win that forced a deciding match against the erstwhile twice-to-beat FiberXers.
But the nephew of PBA legend Johnny Abarrientos didn’t hog the credit.
[ALSO READ: Jeremiah Gray forces OT in Ginebra QF win vs Converge: 'Just another free throw in practice’]
“Grabe din yung puso ng lahat. Yun lang massabi ko,” said Abarrientos. “The way nila ako i-double kanina sa buong game, not physical, (pero) talagang di ako pinapakawalan.”
Now Abarrientos and the rest of the Gin Kings enjoy the rest of the Holidays before hitting the ground running again ahead of a best-of-seven semifinals against San Miguel.
That series will start January 4.
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(With reports from Gillian Trinidad/One Sports Digital)
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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.