Alfrancis Chua on RJ Abarrientos’ confidence, demeanor: ‘Parang si Tenorio’

MANILA — Barangay Ginebra San Miguel will have a new guard to lean on come the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup.

The Gin Kings will be featuring ace guard and 2024 Rookie Draft third overall pick RJ Abarrientos, and no less than San Miguel Sports Director and Ginebra team Governor Alfrancis Chua is happy to have Abarrientos on board.

“Walang kahirap-hirap eh, yung negotiation namin. Tawa tawa lang siya, and he’s excited to play for Ginebra,” said Chua on the sidelines of the Next Generation Basketball League (NGBL)’s season launch in San Juan City on Monday.

Ginebra recently signed the former Far Eastern University star to a three-year maximum rookie deal, and according to Chua, he likes what he saw from the nephew of PBA legend Johnny Abarrientos.

“‘Di ako nahirapan dahil hindi English eh, napaka-bilis ng usapan,” he quipped. “Ang gusto ko pa sa batang ‘yon, grabe kumpyansa nung bata and the way he talks.”

Abarrientos is coming off stints from the Japan B.League, the Korean Basketball League, a title run with Strong Group Athletics-Philippines in the 43rd William Jones Cup, and is also a former Gilas Pilipinas guard.

And these experiences, said Chua, are what makes Abarrientos stand out from his batch.

“Sa dami ng experience niya, medyo angat siya,” saved the former Ginebra coach.

Aside from Abarrientos’ rich resume, it is his confidence and demeanor that puts him above the rest of the rookies.

“Yung pagka kumpyansa niya? Siya pa lang nakita kong ganun. Pero yung sinasabi niya na ‘Kaya natin ito,’ parang si LA Tenorio. Yung vision niya sa kung anong mangyayari sa team, parang si LA Tenorio,” explained Chua.

“Sabi ko sa kanya, kung ano yung sinasabi mo, kailangan gawin mo sa laro yan. Tapos magalang din siyang bata,” he added.

Abarrientos, together with Stephen Holt and Isaac Go will be among the new players of Tim Cone in the upcoming import-laden conference, and Chua said that they will give Barangay Ginebra a fresh coat of paint moving forward.

“Kumbata sa auto, pag bago kotse mo masarap eh. Masarap imaneho, masarap bihisan, masarap i-drive. Pag luma na mahirap na eh. Pero pag gantong mga bago, you can create something. Maganda sa matang makakita ng iba.”

“Maaliwalas, kasi ibang mukha eh. Sana maganda ipakita ng team,” he added.

The newest Ginebra trio will make their debut when they go up against the New Taipei Kings in an exhibition match on July 31 in Macau, and Chua said that they are excited to finally see RJ on board.

“He’s gonna be there on the 31st. Makikita natin siya doon, and he’s very excited,” said Chua.