RJ Abarrientos edges out Sedrick Barefield for Rookie of the Year

Ginebra’s RJ Abarrientos edged out Blackwater’s Sedrick Barefield to be hailed PBA Season 49 Rookie of the Year during the Leo Awards on Sunday, Oct. 5.

Abarrientos recorded 855 votes from the media after averaging 12.1 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game last season.

Barefield averaged identical rebounds and assists per game averages but had a higher points average with 18.4 per game.

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‘PAKITA MO, RJ 😤

Barangay Ginebra San Miguel’s RJ Abarrientos takes home the PBA Season 49 Rookie of the Year title at the Leo Awards after a stellar debut season!#LeoAwards #PBA50 #PBA50LID pic.twitter.com/kdmEgtgI6X

— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) October 5, 2025

This is Abarrientos’ second time being hailed as a top rookie in his career, with the first time being in 2023 while playing for Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus in the Korean Basketball League (KBL).

The 26-year-old also becomes the only Abarrientos to win the award after his uncle and PBA legend Johnny Abarrientos failed to win it in 1993.

Rain or Shine’s Caelon Tiongson received the second-highest votes with 428, while Barefield received no votes.

Abarrientos and Ginebra fell out of the semifinals in the Philippine Cup before losing in consecutive finals clashes against TNT Tropang 5G in the Commissioner’s and Governors’ Cups.

Meanwhile, Tiongson and Rain or Shine made the semifinals in all three conferences but fell against TNT each time. Barefield and the Bossing did not qualify for the playoffs at all last season.

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