What the great Johnny Abarrientos failed to do, his nephew, RJ Abarrientos, was able to accomplish.
On Sunday’s Leo Awards, the younger Abarrientos achieved something that has eluded the player whom he has emulated for many years, winning the Rookie of the Year award and setting himself up as Barangay Ginebra’s next bigger star.
Both of them were selected third overall rookie pick 31 years apart.
Alaska chose the Flying A as its No.3 pick in the Rookie Draft behind Jun Limpot of Sta. Lucia and Vic Pablo of 7-Up in 1993, but Abarrientos lost the award to Limpot as the Realtors were consistent playoff performers, inheriting a solid squad from their predecessor franchise, Presto Ice Cream.
The Milkmen, on the other hand, were a struggling squad and is currently on a rebuilding stage after trading their previous star player, Bong Alvarez, for Bong Hawkins, and could barely make the playoffs that year.
But what the elder Abarrientos failed to do, he used it as motivation.
“I guess nung nakuha ni Jun Limpot yung Rookie of the Year, it has prepared me for something bigger. Ginamit ko yun as motivation kasi alam ko na hindi naman lahat ng bagay, makukuha mo,” said Johnny, who now works closely with RJ after the 1996 Most Valuable Player transferred to Ginebra when Magnolia named LA Tenorio as head coach.
Three years later, Johnny would go on to win the MVP award, becoming the smallest player ever to win that elusive plum, and on top of that, he became the most important piece on launching Alaska’s dynasty. Since losing the Rookie of the Year award, the elder Abarrientos went on to win five championships in the last three seasons, including the grand slam in 1996.
Alaska ended up as the Team of the 1990s, winning nine championships, eight of the nine championships won by Alaska were achieved with Abarrientos running the show.
Johnny felt happy his nephew was able to achieve something that has eluded his colorful playing career and he wished him more success.
“I’m happy for him, nakuha niya yung isang bagay na hindi ko nakuha,” said the elder Abarrientos in an exclusive interview with Pinoystep.com. “I hope that this Rookie of the Year award will make him a better player, not only for himself, but also to a lot of people who depend on him, his teammates, including the utility, na umaasa lang sa maliliit na extra na makukuha nila, pati na rin yung mga taong sumusuporta sa kanya.”
Like his uncle, RJ was also chosen third overall pick last year behind Justine Baltazar of Converge and Sedrick Barefield of Blackwater.
His uncle’s words of wisdom came straight from the heart and the younger Abarrientos acknowledged that winning the Rookie of the Year has allowed him to set a standard, not just as an individual player, but to all people he’ll be closely working with.
“Siguro bonus lang para sa akin na makuha yung individual award. Siyempre, lahat naman pinapangarap yun. Siyempre, on a bigger picture, mas gusto kong makakuha ng championship. Kung para sa akin, para sa akin. Thankful lang ako kasi ibinigay sa akin,” said the younger Abarrientos.
For Abarrientos, he considers winning the Rookie of the Year award both as motivation and added pressure.
“Motivation ito kasi after kong makakuha ng Rookie of the Year sa Korea, now, naulit sa PBA. Parang back-to-back Rookie of the Year, parang kalokohan, pero yung isa kasi sa Korea. Thankfuyl ako, kasi nga nabigay sa akin. Then, pressure rin kasi nakakuha ng award sa PBA. Expect mo na maraming expectations ang mga coaches.
