RJ Uses Uncle Johnny’s Injury as Source of Inspiration

More than two decades apart, RJ Abarrientos found himself living through a painful reminder of a story long attached to his own family name.

The younger Abarrientos suffered a busted nose in Game 2 of Barangay Ginebra’s best-of-seven semifinals series against Rain or Shine after taking an inadvertent elbow from Jhonard Clarito late in the fourth quarter. Bloodied and forced to leave briefly, Abarrientos still returned and helped the Gin Kings complete a 109-101 victory that tied the series.

The injury also brought back memories of his uncle, former PBA Most Valuable Player Johnny Abarrientos, who suffered a fractured cheekbone while playing for the Coca-Cola Tigers in Game 1 of the 2002 All-Filipino championship series against Alaska.

Johnny was in the middle of a memorable performance against his former team when the injury happened. He had gone 11-of-11 from the field in the first half, but doctors prevented him from returning. The Tigers still went on to beat the Aces in four games to win the title, but Johnny missed the rest of the series because of the injury.

So when RJ showed up in Game 3 of Ginebra’s semifinals duel with Rain or Shine wearing a protective mask, the comparison was natural.

The mask, however, did not last long.

Abarrientos started the game with it on, but removed the protection early after struggling to breathe and find his rhythm. True enough, he looked more comfortable without it, finishing with 17 points, 12 of them coming in the second half, as the Gin Kings pulled off a come-from-behind 103-98 victory and took a 2-1 lead in the race-to-four series.

“Hindi rin ako pinagalitan ng coaches. Ang hirap huminga kapag naka-mask. Tsaka hindi ko makuha yung rhythm ko,” said Abarrientos.

Ginebra head coach Tim Cone gave Abarrientos the freedom to play without the mask, especially after hearing the same complaint from his prized guard as early as practice.

“We were hoping he would wear the mask, but he was complaining about it. He was complaining about it before the game. But he was a tough kid. His nose was like this big,” said Cone, giving everyone a more vivid picture of how the player’s nose looked.

“He could have sat out the game, saying he’s hurt and he can’t play, but what did he do? He came out and played 41 minutes and 43 seconds with a pretty much busted nose. He’s amazing.”

The sight of Abarrientos playing through the injury became one of the lasting images of Game 3, especially after photos and clips of him wearing the mask made the rounds before tipoff. But for RJ, the story went deeper than toughness or social-media attention.

He had already spoken to Johnny about what it meant to play with that kind of injury.

According to RJ, Johnny’s advice was plain and simple, knowing the injury could easily be aggravated by another incidental hit to the affected area.

“Ang advice lang niya magpa-ospital kapag natamaan. Kasi hindi ka talaga makakailag kapag tinamaan ka. Good thing naman walang nasaktan, both teams walang nasaktan. Yun ang importante, laro lang trabaho lang,” added the younger Abarrientos.

RJ is taking the advice seriously, especially with what happened to his uncle.

But more than anything, he has used Johnny’s story as a source of inspiration.

“Pinag-usapan namin ni Tito yun,” he added. “May bakal siya sa cheekbone. Hanggang ngayon may bakal pa rin siya, hindi na niya pinaalis. Habang ikinukuwento niya yun sa akin, sino ba naman ako para hindi ma-inspire. Walang rason para hindi maglaro. Yun ang isa sa naging inspirasyon ko, na hanggang ngayon, may bakal siya sa mukha niya.”

For Ginebra, the younger Abarrientos’ willingness to play through pain came at the right time.

The Gin Kings are now halfway from getting the job done and returning to the finals. But against a Rain or Shine team that has pushed the series with its pace, energy and physicality, Abarrientos knows nothing will come easy.

Mask or no mask, he is willing to do whatever it takes to help bring Barangay Ginebra to the next level.

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