PBA Finals: RJ Abarrientos ready to adjust after TNT clamps down

Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings’ RJ Abarrientos during a game against TNT Tropang 5G in the 2026 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals. –PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines—Unlike in Game 1 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals, RJ Abarrientos wasn’t able to play hero for Barangay Ginebra in Game 2.

The Gin Kings absorbed a 101-94 loss to TNT at Araneta Coliseum on Friday, tying the best-of-seven series at 1-1.

Abarrientos, who starred in the series opener, found little room to operate as the Tropang 5G threw multiple defenders at him throughout the game.

“I just have to embrace whatever TNT’s giving me and I respect that,” he told reporters.

RJ Abarrientos after Ginebra’s loss in Game 2. #PBAFinals | @MeloFuertesINQ

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“That’s how a series is, they’ll find holes in you and make things hard for you. It wasn’t just me, everyone else felt TNT’s changes that’s why we had a bad start.”

Abarrientos had multiple skyscrapers blocking his view in Game 2.

After seeing him flourish in Game 1, the Tropang 5G turned to bigger defenders such as Kelly Williams and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser to disrupt the Ginebra guard.

In the end, the FEU product still finished with 21 points but on a 7-for-15 shooting night. In the series opener, he tallied 24 points, including two four-pointers in the endgame.

With the Finals shifting to Mall of Asia Arena for Game 3 on Sunday, Abarrientos knows adjustments will be key.

“It’s a long series so we’ll really have to adjust,” he said. “We just need to adjust ourselves, and watch videos to see where we can improve.”