Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.
Putting the scary episode behind him, RJ Abarrientos turns in a steady performance as Barangay Ginebra reaches the PBA semifinals for the sixth straight conference
MANILA, Philippines – RJ Abarrientos needed to move on quick even as he feared for his life after receiving death threats from someone who claimed to have lost a bet because of him.
Putting the scary episode behind him, the rookie guard turned in a steady performance as Barangay Ginebra reached the PBA semifinals for the sixth straight conference by way of a 94-87 win over Meralco on Sunday, February 9.
Abarrientos posted 16 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists off the bench to help the Gin Kings advance after being dragged by the Bolts to a do-or-die game in the best-of-three duel.
“It was hard on my part because what happened was alarming. But for me, we just needed to move on because there was a game,” said Abarrientos in Filipino.
Abarrientos’ Instagram account got bombarded with death threats from a dummy account after he missed the game-tying four-pointer in a 108-104 loss on Friday, February 7, as Ginebra fell short of series sweep.
The dummy account, which said to have lost P400,000 following the defeat, even threatened to have Abarrientos’ fiancee assassinated.
“What happened was no joke because…my family got involved, especially we’re always in public places. I pray that things will be all right,” he said.
The PBA and the Gin Kings did not take the threats lightly and coordinated with the National Bureau of Investigation to look into the individual behind them.
His focus back on the game, Abarrientos made key plays in the rubber match, including a three-pointer that sparked an 11-2 run that gave Ginebra a commanding 91-78 lead with only a minute remaining.
The win allowed the Gin Kings to arrange a best-of-seven semifinals with top seed NorthPort.
“It will be fast paced because NorthPort is one of the youngest teams here in the PBA. There is a reason why they’re No. 1. We need to work hard for this,” said Abarrientos.
Both teams will have over two weeks of break before the semifinals kick off on February 26 as the PBA gives way for Gilas Pilipinas’ campaign in the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers. – Rappler.com
