RJ Abarrientos focused on Ginebra's semis campaign amid death threat

RJ Abarrientos admitted that the death threats he received after Barangay Ginebra's loss to Meralco in Game 2 of their quarterfinals series were pretty alarming.

But the Gin Kings' star rookie said he didn't let it affect his mentality, as he helped his team overcome the Bolts come Game 3 on Sunday at the Ynares Center Antipolo as they marched on to the semifinals against NorthPort.

"Actually mahirap sa part ko kasi medyo alarming ‘yung nangyari pero for me we just need to move on kasi may game e so may semis pa kami na kailangan paghandaan," Abarrientos said.

"Sabi ko nga, mahirap kasi hindi biro ‘yung nangyari kasi family matter. Nadamay ‘yug family ko and nasa public places kami palagi."

[Actually, it's hard on my part because what happened was alamring. But for me, we just need to move on because we have a game, we still have the semis to prepare for.... Like I said, it's tough because what happened was no joke because it was a family matter. My family was involved and we're always in public places.]

The 25-year-old guard was on the receiving end of online threats after missing on a potential game-tying four-point shot that would have sent the game into overtime.

Just hours after the loss, the former FEU standout took to social media to share the threats he received with one account saying they lost P400k due to the narrow loss.

But Abarrientos made sure his head was in the game in the do-or-die battle against the Bolts, posting 16 points, four rebounds, three assists, and a steal off the bench to provide help to his veterans Justin Brownlee, Stephen Holt, Troy Rosario, and Scottie Thompson in their 94-87 win.

"Pinag-pray ko na lang din na sana maging maayos and nagpapasalamat din ako kay Boss Al and kay Commissioner Willie na hindi nila ako pinabayaan sa nangyari," he added.

"Nag-focus lang ako sa game then kinalimutan ko ‘yun."

[I just prayed that it would be okay and I'm thankful to Boss Al and Commissioner Willie that they stood by me with what happened. I just focused on the game and was able to forget about it.]

Abarrientos is now leaving the matter to proper authorities as league commissioner Willie Marcial stated that the PBA is already coordinating with NBI to handle the case.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News