Johnny in search of team to play

Three weeks before the opening of the 2006 PBA season, Johnny Abarrientos, who for a time the country’s premier point guard, is still looking for a team to play.

Abarrientos had been advised by Coca-Cola that that he may not be re-signed after the expiration of his playing contract at the end of the month.

The one-time PBA MVP awardee has joined Barangay Ginebra in practice once, has inquired for possible spot in Sta. Lucia Realty and has talked to Alaska team manager Joaqui Trillo for a possible return stint with the Aces.

But he’s still out in the cold.

"The season is about to begin and I’m still without a team," Abarrientos told The STAR in an interview.

"A contract-extension with Coca-Cola is out of the question since the team is now rebuilding. The management wants young players. Actually, they have signed up their new recruits," Abarrientos said in Filipino.

The former FEU King Tamaraw admits the wear and tear of playing has started to take its toll on him. But he said he wants to make a swan song in at least one more season in the pros.

He said he would be happy to end his PBA career where he started it all in 1993.

"I still want to end my career with Alaska although I felt bad when they traded me (in 1991 to Pop Cola)," said Abarrientos.

Trillo contacted Abarrientos Wednesday and promised to seek an emergency meeting with Alaska owner Wilfred Steven Uytengsu to bring up the matter.

Alaska coach Tim Cone has said he wants Abarrientos back in his lineup.

"I understand that I’m not that young anymore. In a few years, I can’t play anymore. But at this time, I feel I still have more to give. Besides, I really to still love to play," said Abarrientos, now 36.

He said he appeared in Ginebra’s practice at the Greenmeadows Gym Wednesday upon the invitation of coach Siot Tanquingcen.

" Coach Jong said he wanted to see me but I know they have a complete lineup and it’s not that easy to make a trade with sister teams," said Abarrientos who’s nursing a slight left knee injury.

Abarrientos had been relegated to second-string guard at Coca-Cola last season, starting only in two of 31 games he played. He averaged only 6.5 points, 3.5 assists and 2.5 rebounds – all down from his numbers the previous campaign.