RJ Abarrientos raring to face ‘idol’ Jayson Castro

Ginebra’s RJ Abarrientos in the PBA Governors’ Cup semifinals.– PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines—The PBA Governors’ Cup Finals will have no shortage of fireworks, especially in the backcourt.

One of the most intriguing matchups in the rematch of last year’s finals is the battle between Barangay Ginebra’s fast-rising rookie RJ Abarrientos and TNT legend Jayson Castro.

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“I’m excited to see him and face him. Since high school, I’ve been watching and when I was in college, I idolized him a lot so for me, I’m super excited,” said Abarrientos after their Game 6 win over San Miguel Beer.

READ: Ginebra eliminates San Miguel, sets up PBA Finals rematch vs TNT

“It’s my motivation to face him and I’m looking forward to that matchup.”

Sunday’s Game 1 will serve as Abarrientos and Castro’s first encounter. The Gin Kings and Tropang Giga have yet to play each other this conference because of the new format where teams were divided into two groups.

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Abarrientos may not have been able to hide his excitement about facing Castro but the former Far Eastern University ace cleared he doesn’t want to put too much focus on his individual battle with the eight-time PBA champion.

“For me, I’m not looking at the matchup too much because it’s not me and Jayson. This is Ginebra vs. TNT.”

READ: PBA: RJ Abarrientos delivers for Ginebra as ‘starter off the bench’

Playing against Castro on the PBA’s biggest stage also brought back memories when Abarrientos shared a moment with the veteran playmaker.

“Back when I was with Gilas for 3×3, he was in the 5×5. He talked to me before one of the practices,” Abarrientos recalled.

“He told me, ‘you’re next, okay?’ He meant that I’d be next to play for the 5×5 and I got excited because it came from him.”

True enough, Abarrientos eventually suited up for Gilas Pilipinas in the Fiba Asia Cup in 2021.