RJ Abarrientos during an open training with the Jones Cup bound Strong Group Athletics team. -SGA PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—RJ Abarrientos may not quite be a hundred percent in Strong Group Athletics’ run in the upcoming William Jones Cup.
The Japan B.League Filipino import bared on Tuesday at Gatorade Hoops Center in Mandaluyong that he’s been in pain after a freak injury that occurred during one of his home workouts in preparation for the looming tournament.
“I worked out in front of our house. Long story short, I stepped on broken glass while I was training and I even thought I tore my achilles. It was kind of scary,” said Abarrientos.
“When I saw that it was just a deep cut, I went to the ER and I got the results right away, they put five stitches on my foot and I even thought I was out.”
READ: RJ Abarrientos seeks improvement after first B.League season
Thankfully though, Abarrientos wasn’t ruled out like he expected to be.
After undergoing some minimal procedures, the Shinshu Brave Warrior was given the green light to start training with the squad under coaches Charles Tiu and Rajko Toroman.
However, Abarrientos was still imping from time to time during Tuesday’s scrimmages.
READ: RJ Abarrientos carries no pressure from KBL to B.League
Fortunately for him, the SGA’s coaching staff is taking it step-by-step for him to be completely ready for the Jones Cup.
“That’s the word. They’re not rushing me. They just want me to get my rhythm back,” Abarrientos said.
Whether Abarrientos recovers completely before the tournament or not, SGA will have quite the reinforcements with collegiate guards Titing Manalili from Letran and Tony Ynot from College of St. Benilde.
And Abarrientos is confident that the young guns in the backcourt will be of big help come tournament time.
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“I think the coaches have plans for Ynot and Titing that’s why they took them. Me, I’m a fan of them. I already saw their skills in the NCAA.”