elyu casino Holt, Abarrientos Ginebra arrival allow Scottie to be comfortable

Ginebra’s RJ Abarrientos.– PBA IMAGES

The arrival of Stephen Holt and rookie RJ Abarrientos to inject fresh blood on Barangay Ginebra’s roster has certainly made life easier for Scottie Thompsonelyu casino in the course of the team’s run to the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals.

“Nagagawa ko yung mga gusto kong gawin sa posisyon ko (I can now do the things that I want playing my natural position),” Thompson said ahead of the Gin Kings’ title series with the TNT Tropang Giga that starts on Sunday at Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

Article continues after this advertisement

Holt and Abarrientos were among the main pieces in an offseason trade with Terrafirma, which saw Ginebra give up veterans Christian Standhardinger and Stanley Pringle plus the Kings’ 10th overall pick in the Rookie Draft.

FEATURED STORIES SPORTS NBA finds missed Warriors' free throw actually went in SPORTS NBA: Klay Thompson sets 3s record for Mavericks debut SPORTS Spikers' Turf: Savouge stuns Cignal in five-set thriller

READ: 2024 PBA Finals schedule: Barangay Ginebra vs TNT Tropang Giga

Ginebra got Isaac Go, currently down with a knee injury since last month and is expected to miss the Finals, plus Holt and the third pick in the Rookie Draft, which Ginebra used to take the nephew of Alaska legend and Ginebra coach Tim Cone’s understudy, Johnny Abarrientos.

Article continues after this advertisement

Both Holt and Abarrientos have been key figures in their first conference with the crowd favorites, particularly in the playoffs, which saw Ginebra make its way back to the Finals after two semifinal exits the previous season.

Article continues after this advertisement Two-way player

Holt has been a key presence on both ends, particularly on defense, while also providing some scoring when necessary. Now, the 32-year-old, who before joining the PBA last season had experiences in Europe and Australia, is hoping to get a championship that has been rare in his globe-trotting pro career.

Article continues after this advertisement

“I’m so hungry to win a championship,” said Holt, referring to winning a title with CEZ Nymburk of the Czech National Basketball League. “My last championship was in 2017 so it’s been a long time, so I kind of use that as motivation.”

Abarrientos’ experience internationally playing in Japan’s B.League and South Korea’s Korean Basketball League has translated back home as his role as a point guard, oftentimes as a backup, has led to steady offense and timely outside shooting during the playoffs.

Article continues after this advertisement

He got his career-high 28 points in Ginebra’s Game 5 semis win over San Miguel Beer, a performance that also played heavily in his selection as the final Player of the Week of the PBA Press Corps for the first conference.

“For me, I’m just doing my rookie duties of providing energy for this team,” said Abarrientos. “I know that we have a lot of gunners and great players on this team and I need to find that balance to help the team.”

Their importance also translates into a better showing from Thompson, who last season played through a nagging back that contributed to Ginebra’s rare Finals absence and him skipping Gilas Pilipinas’ campaign in the Fiba Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Latvia.

Was there before

For Thompson, Abarrientos’ role is quite similar to the one he did eight years ago as a rookie when Ginebra ended a near-decade wait for a PBA championship with its conquest of the 2016 Governors’ Cup.

“Having RJ and new guys like Stephen have made us a different team because they’re a big help,” said Thompson. “Having RJ being the playmaker reminds me of the time I had to play that role and let LA [Tenorio] focus on other aspects of his game.”

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

SIGN ME UP

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Thompson, Abarrientos and Holt can only hope that the setup would bode well for the Gin Kings and resume their annual habit of collecting championship trophies.

READ NEXT Holt, Abarrientos Ginebra arrival allow Scottie to be comfor... No formality for Zaragosa at Marapara EDITORS' PICK Kristine accelerates, maintains strength outside PAR LIVE UPDATES: Severe Tropical Storm Kristine NDRRMC: Kristine distressed 2.6 million, reportedly killed 13 UNIS, BINI, SB19 donate, join efforts to help Typhoon Kristine victims Marcos issues slew of orders to sustain, boost storm Kristine response Metro Manila down to Signal No. 1; 18 Luzon areas still under Signal No. 2 MOST READ LIVE UPDATES: Tropical Storm Leon DBM OKs earlier release of gov’t workers’ yearend bonus, cash gift Tropical Storm Kong-rey to enter PAR on Sunday, to be named Leon LTO airs side on LTMS issue Follow @FMangosingINQ on Twitter --> View comments

• elyu casino
• Abarrientos
• Ginebra
• Holt
• Arrival