RJ Abarrientos ecstatic as uncle joins Ginebra’s coaching staff

Barangay Ginebra San Miguel will have an interesting family affair in the PBA’s upcoming golden season, as legend Johnny Abarrientos will suit up as an assistant coach to his nephew RJ.

Abarrientos, known as “Flying A” for his exciting style of play during the 90s, will join his former head coach Tim Cone, as a part of Ginebra’s coaching staff alongside Olsen Racela, Richard del Rosario, and Patrick Partosa.

The younger Abarrientos is excited about the prospect of his uncle joining a Ginebra team eager to get back to the top of the PBA mountain.

“I’m just thankful and very excited that we are now on the same team. Hopefully we can have a good tandem, and hopefully we can win one, two, or three [titles] together,” he said.

His uncle, a former MVP in 1996, also shared his excitement in helping Cone with his signature Triangle Offense, just like they did in the 2010s with San Mig Coffee, as well as developing players, primarily the guard position, which includes the sophomore.

“I don’t know if I could still run the Triangle,” Johnny said of Cone’s signature offensive set. “Hopefully, there’s something left in my memory and I could still help, not only on a coaching standpoint but guiding individual players, especially the guards,” he said.

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RJ Abarrientos and his uncle Johnny, now part of the Barangay Ginebra coaching staff, among the early birds here at SM Mall of Asia Music Hall @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/ue5do4CDx3

— Jonas Terrado (@jonasterradoINQ) September 7, 2025

The appointment comes after another Ginebra legend in LA Tenorio departed the coaching staff to become the Magnolia Hotshots’ head coach.

Ginebra finished fourth place in the Commissioners’ and Philippine cups, as well as a third-place finish in the Governors’ conference. They recently drafted Sonny Estil and John Abis in the draft.

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