Barangay Ginebra head coach Tim Cone has nothing but praises to his prized rookie RJ Abarrientos who, according to him, has the quality to become a starter in any other team but embraced and even thrived in his bench role with the Kings.

“Just really proud of him for taking that role and going with it. Because he’s been a starter in all the other leagues he’s been in and to come here and come off the bench for us in his first conference is really a test to his character,” Cone said of Abarrientos.

The third overall pick of the recent draft did not shy away from the spotlight and even had the guts to take over when the need arises for Ginebra. 

He did just that in Ginebra’s 121-92 Game 5 win against San Miguel in their semifinals series, dropping a career-high 28 points off the bench.

“He's a starter off the bench. He’s calling himself a bench player but he was a starter off the bench. There’s no doubt about it,” Cone added.

For Abarrientos, he said he was just doing his best in the opportunity that was being given to him.

“Wala naman akong masyadong inisip ngayon e. I just stuck to the system. Sabi nga ni Coach Tim kanina, hindi ko pinipilit yung mga shots ko. I’m just going with the flow — sa offense and defense,” said Abarrientos.

“I'm not forcing anything ginagawa ko lang yung part ko coming from the bench,” he added.

In his first playoff run with Ginebra, Abarrientos has now the chance to make it to the finals but he is not making a big fuss out of it.

“I just want to improve myself every practice and every game di naman ako nag lu-look forward sa kung anong makukuha ko sa next chapter ko sa PBA. I’m just doing my thing every day na maging better as a person and as a player,” he added.