Abarrientos bucks flu to help Gin Kings neutralize Tropang 5G

Barangay Ginebra’s RJ Abarrientos (4)

(PBA Images)

MANILA, Philippines — RJ Abarrientos was not supposed to suit up for Barangay Ginebra against the TNT Tropang 5G in their PBA Philippine Cup match on Wednesday evening.

The guard was not exempted from flu, which has affected Filipinos across the country.

Still, Abarrientos suited up and powered Ginebra with 14 points in 22 minutes of play off the bench to help the Gin Kings tally their first win of the conference with a dominant 92-77 win over the Tropang 5G.

After the game, Abarrientos said that the team’s nurses and doctors told him he had Influenza A.

“Actually nagsabi na ako sa mga nurse namin na doctor na hindi ako makakalaro, madaling araw. Sabi na rin ng misis ko na wag ko na nga raw pilit, pero sabi ni Coach Tim [Cone] na tignan sa warmup, baka pag napawisan, maging better. Pero yun naman, medyo naging better,” the guard, who was wearing a mask, told reporters.

“Pero ang hirap. Ang hirap maglaro ng may sakit. Yun lang,” he added.

He said he had fever and was not feeling well even during the game, but he was able to muster strength to suit up.

“Pag pinawisan ka na, parang wala. Ganun lang. Tapos pag medyo natuyo ka, parang nanlalamig ulit. Yun yung pakiramdam,” Abarrientos bared.

“Happy naman kasi nakuha yung panalo. Siguro, mabibinat ako na to pag natalo kami eh. Yun lang naman.”

Cone, during the post-game press conference, admitted that he “kind of forced” his shifty guard to play.

“RJ Abarrientos was, in the beginning, not supposed to play at all tonight. And I kind of forced him to come to the game and warm up and see if he could go through it. And lo and behold, he came out and played an awesome game,” he said.

“But he was running a 41 temperature. Was it 41? And a high temperature and he'd been vomiting. And he still came out and played. I hope he didn't get everybody sick on the court though. But it was a really good flu game. Really good mental strength by RJ tonight,” he added.

Abarrientos’ 14 backstopped Japeth Aguilar’s 17 point-10 rebound performance.

Troy Rosario had 13 markers, while Scottie Thompson, Stephen Holt and Norbert Torres added 10 apiece.

Abarrientos is expected to play anew for Ginebra as they return to action on Friday, taking on the Meralco Bolts at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.