By REYNALD MAGALLON
RJ Abarrientos wasn’t spared by the flu-like symptoms that have been spreading around as of late.
The sophomore guard had to play through flu and yet still delivered a solid outing in Barangay Ginebra’s 92-77 victory over TNT on Wednesday, Oct. 15 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Talking to members of the press on a mask, Abarrientos admitted that he wasn’t supposed to play in the contest as advised by his doctors but decided to push through in persuasion of Ginebra coach Tim Cone.
“Sabi ng mga doktor, Influenza-A, ‘yung kumakalat ngayon sa atin na uso,” said Abarrientos, who finished with 14 points including a bank shot buzzer-beating four-pointer to end the third frame.
“Actually, nagsabi na ako sa mga doktor at nurse namin na hindi ako makakapaglaro nung madaling araw. Sabi rin ng misis ko na wag na ipilit. Pero sabi ni coach Tim, tignan sa warm-up baka pag napawisan, maging better. Naging better pero ang hirap maglaro ng may sakit,” he added.
Abarrientos even revealed that he got a fever as high as 41 degrees celsius the night before the game.
Cone was naturally amused of Abarrientos’ flu game that helped Ginebra even its record to 1-1 and bounce back from its dismal showing in the season-opener against Magnolia.
“RJ was, in the beginning, not supposed to play at all tonight. I kinda forced him to come to the game and warm-up and see if he can go through it. And lo and behold, he came out and played an awesome game,” said Cone.
“I hope he didn’t get everybody sick on the court though,” Cone jested. “But it was a really good flu game, really good mental strength by RJ tonight.”
After playing through the flu against the Tropang 5G, Abarrientos is expected to suit up and play through it against the Meralco Bolts on Friday, Oct.17.
“Nakatawid eh. Kaya naman,” said Abarrientos “Mataas pa rin (ang lagnat). Pag pinawisan ka na, parang wala. Kaso pag natuyo ka, nanlalamig uli. Pero happy naman kasi nakuha ‘yung panalo. Siguro mabibinat ako kapag natalo kami.”
