When Barangay Ginebra selected RJ Abarrientos in last year’s PBA Rookie Draft, it was his uncle Johnny who came up the stage to receive a symbolic jersey before a group photo alongside coach Tim Cone and the rest of the Gin Kings was taken.

At that time, there was a what-if feeling of the elder Abarrientos reuniting with Cone, which became a reality almost a year later following the legendary point guard’s appointment as part of Cone’s coaching staff ahead of the league’s landmark 50th season in October.

“I’ve been hoping to get him for years,” Cone told the Inquirer on Tuesday when asked of Abarrientos, who actually rejoins the Gin Kings—as a member of the coaching staff this time—after spending more than a decade with the Magnolia Hotshots.

Deadly combination

Cone and Abarrientos’ roles in Alaska being the “Team of the 90s”—highlighted by the 1996 Grand Slam—are well-documented, and the two were together as well in 2014 when Magnolia, then called San Mig Super Coffee, completed the fifth Triple Crown sweep in league history.

Safe to say that they are a deadly combination.

But the two had to go their separate ways in 2015 when Cone was transferred to Ginebra while Abarrientos remained

with the Purefoods franchise.

Ten years later, the two are back together after a shake-up that started when long-time Ginebra floor general LA Tenorio was appointed to replace Chito Victolero as Magnolia coach. Tenorio previously served under Cone as playing assistant.

Tenorio brought in Kirk Collier from Ginebra plus Monch Gavierrez from his recent duty as Terrafirma assistant to be part of his staff since Magnolia began preparations for the season-opening Philippine Cup last week.

That paved the way for Abarrientos’ move to the team where he spent the final years of his storied career, while also joining his nephew RJ, who had a vital role manning the point for Ginebra in the 2024-25 campaign.

Cone has been very high on the young guard that he believes RJ can at least match what Johnny had accomplished as a player.

Of course, “Johnny A” will have more tasks than just guiding the incoming sophomore.

“I’m thrilled to have Johnny on the staff,” Cone said. “He is such a good mentor for the point guard position, and has great knowledge of the Triangle [Offense].”

Ginebra is coming off a season that saw two Finals defeats to TNT in the import-flavored Governors’ Cup and Commissioner’s Cup and getting the semifinal boot by eventual champion San Miguel Beer in the Philippine Cup. INQ