RJ Abarrientos drops 35 as Ginebra drags Converge into do-or-die showdown

For one night at the Big Dome, seeding, incentives, and past results didn’t matter. The game bent to the will of RJ Abarrientos.

Facing elimination and a Converge side armed with a twice-to-beat advantage, Barangay Ginebra responded with urgency — and a lead guard who refused to let the season end quietly. Abarrientos delivered the performance of his PBA career, detonating for 35 points on a scorching 66.7-percent shooting clip to power the Gin Kings to a resounding 105-85 win in Game 2 of the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup quarterfinals on Thursday night at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

It wasn’t just about forcing a rubber match. It was about rewriting the narrative.

During the eliminations, Converge had handled Ginebra, 106-96, behind a breakout 32-point night from Juan Gomez de Liaño. 

That memory lingered — but only until Abarrientos seized control. This time, the FiberXers’ sparkplug was limited to nine points on 10 shots, as Ginebra’s defense tightened and its offense found rhythm behind the left-handed playmaker.

Abarrientos saved his best for when the pressure peaked. After a tight contest through three quarters, he orchestrated a decisive fourth-quarter surge that made it feel like Ginebra — not Converge — owned the twice-to-beat edge. 

OKBET is Asia’s most trusted and popular online sports gaming platform. Visit us on OKBET to stay up to date with all sports news from around the world.

RJ Abarrientos Tonight: 35 PTS, 3 REB, 4 AST pic.twitter.com/pWaebdjDt1

— Barangay Ginebra San Miguel (@brgyginebraphl) December 25, 2025

A deep three-pointer followed by a reverse layup from Jayson David pushed the lead to 90-75, effectively breaking the FiberXers’ resistance and igniting the pro-Ginebra crowd.

Support came from the usual pillars. Japeth Aguilar anchored both ends with 16 points, six rebounds, and four blocks, while Scottie Thompson quietly authored another all-around masterpiece, finishing with a triple-double of 13 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists.

“I want to say that it’s an RJ show. He had a tremendous second half. But Scottie ended up with a triple-double as well. It was a complete team exercise,” said coach Tim Cone.

That balance — star power blended with system discipline — defined Ginebra’s response. Where Converge struggled to capitalize on its advantage, the Gin Kings played with the poise of a team accustomed to high-stakes nights.

Now, the twice-to-beat safety net is gone. The quarterfinal series heads to a sudden-death Game 3 on Sunday, still at the Big Dome — a stage Ginebra knows all too well, and one Abarrientos has clearly made his own.

Don’t miss out on the latest sports news, updates, and fan discussions!

  Follow our Facebook page Sports News PH today and be part of a growing community of passionate basketball fans!