Abarrientos rides again

Proving he has enough gas left in his tank, guard Johnny Abarrientos made a triumphant comeback with Barangay Ginebra Friday night in the KFC-PBA Philippine Cup although a deep cut in his left index finger forced him to leave the game early during the Kings' game against Barako Bull.

With injuries to key players including Mark Caguioa and reigning Most Valuable Player (MVP) Jayjay Helterbrand, Ginebra coach Jong Uichico had no other option but to reactivate Abarrientos, who at age 39 and six months is the oldest player in the PBA.

"Malaking tulong si Johnny," Uichico said after the Kings defeated the Energy Boosters, 94-86, a win that propelled them to solo second with a 3-1 card.

"Despite him not playing... although nagpa-praktis naman sya. Pero iba kasi pag game situation e. Well, Johnny A is Johnny A," Uichico added.

Abarrientos played 11 minutes before he was taken out of the game due to the deep cut he sustained when his index left linger got entangled with the "baller ID" of Barako Bull guard Paolo Hubalde with seven minutes left in the third period.

"Ang alam ko sumabit kay Paolo eh," Abarrientos, who averaged 11.8 points and 3.7 assists in 17 seasons, said as he attempted to steal the leather from Hubalde.

"Basta naramdaman ko na lang biglang namanhid and nung nakita ko may dugo na," added Abarrientos.

Although he failed to buy a single bucket in three attempts - all from the three-point territory - Abarrientos displayed some flashes of brilliance that enabled him to win an MVP award in 1996.

He's also a member of the league's 25 Greatest Players.

With the Ginebra faithful chanting his name, he was fielded with six minutes left in the first quarter.

Right there and there, he forced Barako Bull's Felix Belano to commit a turnover, and followed it up with a razor-sharp assist to Eric Menk.

Abarrientos finished with four rebounds, six assists and a steal - not bad for an aging warrior.