PBA: RJ Abarrientos responds with big Game 5 for Ginebra

Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings’ RJ Abarrientos during a game vs Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the 2026 PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals Game 5. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—RJ Abarrientos has made a living with his offense in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals for Barangay Ginebra.

In Game 5 on Friday at Smart Araneta Coliseum, Abarrientos once again delivered offensively to help power the Gin Kings past Rain or Shine, 111-104.

According to Abarrientos, the reigning Rookie of the Year, simply stuck to the game plan laid out by the coaching staff.

“My coaches told me that I needed to work on everything about my game,” said Abarrientos. “I just needed to double or triple my work to get open and be involved in our offense and defense.”

Abarrientos waxed hot from the field with 31 points that went with eight assists, four rebounds and two steals to help give Ginebra the pivotal 3-2 series lead.

The former Far Eastern University Tamaraws standout bounced back from a forgettable outing on Wednesday, when he scored just eight points in the Gin Kings’ 97-85 loss.

Still, Abarrientos believes there is plenty to improve on heading into Game 6.

“We just have to keep getting aggressive on both offense and defense,” he said. “We have to fix everything we do on offense and our scorers on the bench are also very important. We have to keep going, we have our veterans to do that too.”

Abarrientos and the Gin Kings try to punch their ticket back to the PBA Finals on Sunday in Game 6 at Ynares Center Antipolo.