6.14.2006

The Johnny Abarientos Predicament

Game 4 - Ginebra vs Red Bull

With a limping a line-up, Ginebra doesn't want to go to any game 5 party, tired and spent. They must win this one, game 4, for them to see big bad San Miguel Beer. San Mig made the semi-finals outright along with the Purefoods Hotdogs. Key in this crucial game 4 series would be still the Major Pain Eric Menk. His rebounding is there (a constant throughout his career), but his offense must be at the level of the past 2 games for them to send Red Bull ang Yeng Guiao packing for the rainy days.

A Token Report:

The Alaska -Coca Cola series is currently 2-1 in favor of the Tim Cone led team. With Alaska's grinding approach to the game (triangle offense) coupled with non-crowd-drawing-team in Coke, what you get is this type of series. Where, not even done with the game, crowd at the stadium is yelling out loud the Ginebra chant. (Adlib: Has there been any boring team in the P.B.A. than Alaska this past 2 decades?) By the way, this series could have been 2-1, Coke up, if only "no-more-flying-A" sinked his FTs in game 1.

The Johnny Abarientos Predicament:

Speaking of Abarientos, why he still playing befuddles me. This guy was the best point guard for the most part of the 90's. Safe to say, he's one of the best Filipino point guards EVER. Couple of years back, he was still competitive but not at the top of his game anymore. But in a series, he busted his face, collided with a player (bad omen: I think the series was against his mortal enemy now, the Alaska). He was playing great in this series/game at the time of this hit. The injury was so severe that it needed, I believe, multiple surgeries. After this serious injury, he should have retired by then.

Nothing more to prove! UAAP Champion with the FEU Tamarraws. (There is no chance he can’t get a title at the PBL. I just don’t have the time to look it up.) Multiple championships in the PBA including a grand slam. Defensive team selection. He’s got the prestigious mythical five selections. And baby, he owns the mother of all awards in the PBA, 1996 Most Valuable Player. Hell, his career is 3x better than Vic Pablo and 2X better than that of Jun Limpot (his contemporaries). I do not understand why he is dragin his career like this. My guess is, his career is not going to better anytime soon. So c’mon Johnny be good, hang it up and enjoy basketball on a different level.


P.S.

Only 5 foot seven inches, 36/37 years old, around 160 pounder and slowing down, NO DOUBT, if he’ll continue to play, Abarientos will struggle mightily down the road. He is unlike Jaworski, at 37 to 45 years old (years when he was still a capable and contributing player and not just crowd draw), Jaworski packs 180 to 190 pounds, 6 feet tall, with deadly outside shooting, mean elbows and rugged physique while being guarded by the likes of Calma, Magsanoc, Pumarens, Johnny himself and all other pint-sized PGs. Now you know the recipe on how to be a living legend. First up, grow 6 feet then solidify your elbows, the rest can be learned.

P.S.2.

Just the other day, I was browsing the PBA site and read the article about the Flying A, he swears, he would accept losing to any other team BUT not to Alaska. Talk about playing with anger. The article mentions too, coming from Johnny himself, the probable reasons of why Alaska let go of him. Among other things, cock fighting. Lo-Diyes!

P.S.3. (Added August 29 2006)

With Coca Cola drafting Joseph Yeo of Lasalle, Johnny must see this as the right time to move on. He is the Replacement! Coca Cola drafted 5 to 6 players. It's open try out at Coke now. Johnny should give these young players their chances, He had his time, great time infact. This is a great time for Johnny to call it quits, I believe San Miguel Corporation is hauling coaches and assistant coaches, send in your resume Flying A.

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