RJ Abarrientos saves Christmas again for Ginebra with career-high effort

MANILA, Philippines – Count on RJ Abarrientos to save Christmas for Barangay Ginebra.

Just like the same time in 2024, Abarrientos came up big as the Gin Kings stayed alive in the 2025-26 PBA Philippine Cup with a 105-85 win over Converge in the quarterfinals at the Mall of Asia Arena on Thursday, December 25.

The sophomore guard poured 30 of his career-high 35 points in the second half and added 4 assists, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists, paving the way for Ginebra to drag the twice-to-beat FiberXers to a do-or-die clash for a final four berth.

It was a performance that brought back memories of Abarrientos’ Christmas Day heroics in 2024, when he helped the Gin Kings erase a 22-point deficit and assisted on a Scottie Thompson game-winner in a thrilling 95-92 victory over rival Magnolia.

This time, though, it was all about Abarrientos finding the bottom of the net as he finished with an ultra-efficient 12-of-18 shooting clip, including 6 of 8 from three-point distance. 

“I want to say it’s the RJ show. He had a tremendous second half,” said Gin Kings head coach Tim Cone. 

“He’s got that capability. We all know about it. We’ve seen it from the past. He can get going almost Steph Curry-like. He can just find an area and throw it up and it’s going to go in,” added Cone, referring to the all-time three-point leader of the NBA. 

Abarrientos hardly made his presence in the first half as he tallied just 5 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, and 1 steal against 2 turnovers before he hit his stride.

The hot-shooting guard scattered 11 points in the third quarter, including a late three-pointer that gave Ginebra a 70-64, and then completely took over the game as he exploded for 19 points in the fourth period on the back of 4 three-pointers.

Abarrientos nearly matched Converge, which scored just 21 points in the final frame. 

“I actually complained to him a little in the middle of the second quarter. I told him he wasn’t looking for his shot. He was passing the ball, and I said he needs to look for his shot. He came out second half and looked for it, and it went in,” said Cone.

Thompson also delivered in the win with a triple-double of 13 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists, and 2 steals, while Japeth Aguilar produced 16 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 blocks.

Justine Baltazar had 19 points, 13 rebounds, and 2 steals in the loss as the FiberXers missed their first crack at their first semifinal appearance in franchise history.

The sudden death is set on Sunday, December 28, at the same venue. – Rappler.com