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| After finally getting a taste of PBA action, John Abis looks forward to a rare time he is at work on Christmas night. PBA Images |
MANILA--To add depth to its wing rotation, Ginebra signed 2025 second round pic John Abis to his first PBA contract and was immediately brought into action against Titan Ultra on Sunday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
The former Perpetual Help Alta, though, only got to play within the last 39 seconds of the game and was apparently still learning the ropes as Joshua Munzon scored seven straight points that kept the Giant Risers in the game.
With the Gin Kings looking to insure the victory, coach Tim Cone brought Abis back to the bench in favor of RJ Abarrientos, and Abarrientos responded with four straight free throws that helped ice their win.
Despite the limited playing time, Abis cherished his first foray in the PBA.
"I'm super grateful and thankful na nakapaglaro sa PBA at sa Ginebra team pa, and thank you sa mga coaches at sa management na pinagbigyan nilang akong makapaglaro dito sa malaking liga ng buong Pilipinas," Abis told Dugout Philippines.
This is not Abis' first time in a professional league, though, as he already played for two teams based in his hometown of Muntinlupa, the NBL's Emeralds and the MPBL's Cagers.
Abis played for both Muntinlupa teams under a special guest license, which enabled him to keep his amateur status to continue playing for Perpetual Help.
He admitted that he is adjusting to a different role as he slides to the small forward position due to an already solid power forward rotation led by Troy Rosario and Norbert Torres.
"Extra work ako palagi sa True Focus. Yung wino-work namin, pang-guard na skills. Sana magtuluy-tuloy yung work namin," said the six-foot-three Abis.
With Ginebra sealing the fifth seed with a win against Titan Ultra, the former gets to play on Day 1 of the PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals right on Christmas night back at the Smart Araneta Coliseum against Converge.
While in what could only be his second PBA game, he has to sacrifice spending more family time on Christmas Day, Abis somehow expected it already since it is part of his return to the play-for-pay circuit.
"Naglalaro tayo eh. Ito yung passion at gusto natin, so wala tayong magagawa kung may in-assign sila na laro sa Pasko. Ayun, maglalaro na lang kami," Abis further said, adding that he will devote Christmas Eve Wednesday for extra work and rest.
The Gin Kings' backs are against the walls as they need to beat the FiberXers twice to make it to January.
While Abis vowed that he and the other Ginebra guys will exert more effort to at least extend their quarterfinal tie to next Sunday, he also hopes for a divine intervention from the Lord Jesus Christ on His birthday commemoration.
"Focus lang kami sa darating naming game, and paghahandaan namin yung kalaban namin. Kung ano ang ibibigay ni Lord, Siya na ang bahala sa amin. Gagawin lang namin yung best namin," Abis further said.
