RJ Abarrientos virtually busted all the mock drafts by being drafted third overall just like his uncle back in 1993. SGA/Jones Cup

 

MAKATI–Most if not all of the early mock drafts were busted on Saturday when Ginebra moved up the PBA Draft order through the Christian Standhardinger-Stephen Holt trade.

The night after, even those who made their late mock drafts saw their versions smashed when team governor Alfrancis Chua mentioned the name “RJ Abarrientos” as their first-round pick of the draft instead of someone else, among the most popular being Caelan Tiongson.

Although he did not mention if Tiongson was on the list, coach Tim Cone revealed that the Gin Kings had a few names to consider for their first-round pick.

“There was a choice for us of about four players that we were looking for, and eventually, it really went back and forth. One coach liked this guy, another coach liked that guy, and then later on, they would flip,” Cone revealed how tough it was to make a final choice.

So why Abarrientos?

“We just felt that RJ would be an elite player at his position, maybe even a transcendent player. He has the potential to be that kind of player, so he was just somebody we just couldn’t pass up even though we would have liked the size of some of the other players,” Cone said after the draft was completed on Sunday night at the Glorietta Activity Center.

However, knowing that Abarrientos is projected to be drafted early, Ginebra forged an agreement with Terrafirma to add a pick swap option to the Standhardinger trade.

The Gin Kings moved up to the third pick and the Dyip took the 10th pick, paving the way for Cone to bring in the second-generation point guard.

‘Tito Johnny’ represents RJ Abarrientos in PBA Draft

It was also fitting that RJ’s uncle, Magnolia assistant coach Johnny, posed with the honorary Ginebra jersey to celebrate the younger Abarrientos’ selection.

RJ Abarrientos is currently in New Taipei for the Jones Cup as part of Strong Group Athletics.

You can argue, though, that it was a reenactment of how Cone drafted Johnny Abarrientos.

In 1993, Alaska used its first-round pick to draft the older Abarrientos.

The similarities: both Abarrientos went to Far Eastern University for college, and they too were selected third overall.

“Kind of poetic, we thought. Really nice story,” Cone further said.

With RJ Abarrientos and Stephen Holt now with the Gin Kings, Cone can slide Scottie Thompson back to his natural position as shooting guard.

“Scottie has always been really at his best as more of a 2-guard only because it allows him to do different things rather than handling the ball all the time,” Cone said, adding that Thompson does “those Scottie things” like backdoor cuts and rebounds more if he plays the 2.

While Cone clarified that Thompson will remain as Ginebra’s primary ball handler, he believes Abarrientos will make life easier for him.