MANILA, Philippines — Barangay Ginebra playmaker RJ Abarrientos is slowly moving into star status and go-to guy for the Gin Kings after leading the scoring parade in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup elimination round.
The 26-year-old Abarrientos, last season’s Rookie of the Year, averaged 21.5 points, and topping the three-point shooting accuracy at 42.27 percent to help Ginebra secure the no. 2 seed in the playoffs.
The former Far Eastern U standout had emerged as the primary local scoring option of Ginebra outside import Justin Brownlee, who continues to be a force to reckon with in the conference where imports 6-9 and above are the norm.
Terrafirma’s vastly-improved shooting guard Jerrick Ahanmisi is a close second with 21.25 points per game followed by Sedrick Barefield (21.08).
NLEX’s Robert Bolick (20.5), who also led the assists with 8.75 assists, and Phoenix’s acrobatic guard Ricci Rivero (20.0) ranked fourth and fifth on offense.
On the other hand, TNT’s Bol Bol tops the scoring and rebounding with 38.17 points and 15.08 boards, respectively.
Blackwater heavyweight import Robert Upshaw III is at second in both categories with 34.44 points and 11.56 rebounds per contest.
He rounding up the top 5 scoring among reinforcements Bennie Boatwright of San Miguel (32.4 ppg.), Nuni Omot, who played for Magnolia in its first three games (32.33) and Brownlee (30.42).
Meanwhile, nine-time league Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo of SMB and this year’s top rookie pick Geo Chiu of Terrafirma led the tournament among locals in rebounding with 14.75 and 10.08, respectively.
