MANILA, Philippines - Johnny Abarrientos is at the crossroads on the twilight of his career – having to choose which way – Barangay Ginebra or Alaska Milk – to take.
“He’s weighing his options. His concern is the long road. What future lies for him with Ginebra and with Alaska,” said a source close to Abarrientos.
Abarrientos has found himself in a sticky situation after receiving an offer of a playing contract with his original team Alaska.
Alaska has offered a one-year playing pact involving an amount that is more than double of what he currently receives as a member of the Ginebra coaching staff. Uncertain, however, is his future at the end of the contract.
“The good thing is that both Alaska and Ginebra are giving him time to think it over,” said The STAR source.
“Johnny’s worried he may not get a spot in the Alaska coaching staff at the end of his playing contract. He’s already got that at Ginebra,” the source said.
Abarrientos is an unrestricted free agent working as skills coach/on-call reserve with Ginebra.
The 1996 MVP awardee, now 40, said he’s looking to play one more season before eventually calling it quits.
He also said he would be happy to play his last games with his original team.
Alaska has just given Abarrientos the rare honor of retiring his jersey during the Uytengsu franchise 25th year gala night.
Abarrientos had his best years in the pros with Alaska, helping the team win the bulk of their championships in the 90s, including the Triple Crown in 1996.
Last year, he’s already the league’s oldest active player, playing 14 games and showing he’s still capable of putting in points, dishing out assists, coming up with steals and even getting rebounds nearing the age of 40.
Through 17 PBA seasons, Abarrientos was No. 1 in the league’s all-time most steals list, fourth in the all-time most assists ranking and inside the Top 20 in all-time scoring ladder.