The Barangay Ginebra versus Converge FiberXers Christmas Day quarterfinal was supposed to be a celebration of basketball. Instead, it ended with a sour note that has set social media ablaze. With only 31.2 seconds remaining in a decided 105-85 victory for the Gin Kings, Converge swingman Archie Concepcion was ejected for a flagrant foul after throwing an elbow to the midsection of RJ Abarrientos.
While Abarrientos was doubled over in visible pain, a vocal segment of fans took to the internet to accuse the rookie star of "overacting." However, a logical look at the situation reveals that these criticisms are not only harsh but fundamentally flawed.
📉 The Lack of a "Basketball Reason"
The most powerful argument against the "acting" narrative is the scoreboard. At the time of the incident, Ginebra was up by 20 points with less than a minute to play.
No Game Leverage: In a close game, a player might "sell" contact to bait the referees into a crucial whistle. Here, the game was over. There was no tactical advantage for Abarrientos to gain by faking an injury.
Career High Momentum: Abarrientos was in the middle of a career-defining performance, finishing with 35 points. A player in "the zone" rarely wants to interrupt their own rhythm or spend the final seconds of a masterpiece writhing on the floor unless the pain is genuine.
🗯️ Concepcion’s Defense vs. Abarrientos’ Reality
Archie Concepcion has since defended himself, stating there was "no intent" and that he was merely trying to deny the ball due to frustration. While frustration is understandable in a blowout loss, it often leads to "non-basketball" motions.
Abarrientos, for his part, kept it professional but honest after the game:
"Talagang nag-jab siya sa stomach ko... That’s unnecessary for me. Pero just a game, mind game. So okay lang."
Even if the "jab" was a result of aggressive positioning, the human midsection is vulnerable. Claiming a player is "acting" after taking a direct hit to the solar plexus—especially from a professional athlete—ignores the physical reality of the sport.
🕊️ Looking Ahead: Avoiding a "Hard-to-Watch" Sunday
The real danger of this controversy isn't the social media chatter; it's the potential for escalation. The two teams meet again this Sunday, December 28, in a do-or-die Game 2.
If Ginebra players feel the need to "protect" their rookie or if Converge continues to play with high-boiling frustration, the match could devolve into a physical, whistle-heavy grind. Fans don't want to see a wrestling match; they want to see if Abarrientos can replicate his "Steph Curry-like" shooting or if Converge’s "Twin Towers" can force a semifinal berth.
Let’s hope the referees keep a tight lid on the game early so that the focus remains on the talent, not the temperaments.
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