After struggling early, Abarrientos eventually found his rhythm — coincidentally after taking off his protective mask — and finished with 17 points, five assists, and three rebounds in Ginebra’s 103-98 win over the Rain or Shine ElastoPainters in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup semifinals on Sunday.

“He is a tough kid. Really, really tough kid,” said Cone of Abarrientos, who also knocked down three triples despite his swollen nose. “He wanted to play. He wanted to win.”

Cone acknowledged that the mask may have affected Abarrientos early in the game, so he understood the guard’s decision to remove it despite the risks.

“He was complaining about it when we brought it over, and he was complaining about it before the game. So I wasn’t surprised that he took it off,” said the Gilas Pilipinas mentor.

Abarrientos agreed that wearing the mask was uncomfortable. Fortunately, his uncle — the legendary “Flying A” Johnny Abarrientos — had gone through a similar situation back in 2003.

Johnny, then playing for the Coca-Cola Tigers, suffered a cheekbone injury that also required him to wear the similar gear.

The younger Abarrientos shared that he sought advice from his uncle while deciding whether to continue wearing the gear in Game 3 before ultimately determining it was better to take it off.

“’Di naman ako pinagalitan, tsaka ang hirap huminga,” said RJ. “Pero ang advice niya lang, magpa-ospital ‘pag matamaan, kasi hindi ka naman makakailag.”

Fortunately for Ginebra, Abarrientos avoided further complications in Game 3, something Cone greatly appreciated.

“He could be one of those guys that say, ‘I’m hurt. I can’t play.’ But he came out and played 41 minutes with pretty much a busted nose,” said Cone.

MANILA — Galeries Tower will have the chance to land a generational talent in Alyssa Solomon.

The Highrisers have taken the first overall pick of the 2026 PVL Rookie Draft following the results of the lottery held Monday at the TV5 Center in Mandaluyong City.

Entering the lottery, the Highrisers have a 30 percent chance of landing the top pick — only second after Capital1, which had 40 percent odds.

Solomon has been tipped as the favorite to be taken first overall, thanks to her pedigree as a three-time UAAP champion with National University and her experience playing overseas in Japan.

For its part, Capital1 will select second overall, followed by Choco Mucho (third) and Zus Coffee (fourth).

According to a league press release, the formula for the odds were agreed upon by all teams before the 2025–26 season. The computation weights the All-Filipino Conference at 75 percent, the Reinforced Conference at 15 percent, and the PVL On Tour at 10 percent.

The fifth-year guard missed just two of his first seven attempts from beyond the arc as the Rain or Shine ElastoPainters built a 13-point cushion, but Caracut went scoreless the rest of the way as Barangay Ginebra San Miguel rallied for a 103-98 victory.

“’Di na-sundan eh, so kailangan na bumawi ulit,” said the former De La Salle University standout, who finished with 15 points on 5-of-12 shooting from the field.

Caracut acknowledged how the firepower of Scottie Thompson, Justin Brownlee, and RJ Abarrientos fueled Ginebra’s comeback, while Rain or Shine’s turnovers further hurt their chances in Game 3.

“Alam naming may mabibigat na scorers talaga sila, kaya nakakahabol sila,” said Caracut, as they committed 20 errors which Ginebra turned into 15 fastbreak points. “Tinakbuhan nga rin kami dahil sa turnovers.”

But despite falling into a 2-1 hole in the best-of-seven clash, Caracut remains optimistic about both his game and the Elasto Painters’ ability to bounce back in Game 4.

“Tuloy pa rin, kumpyansa pa rin,” said Caracut. “Hindi pa naman tapos, kailangan lang talagang bumawi. Hindi mawawala yung kumpyansa.”

Caracut also understands the importance of the next match, which could heavily shape the direction of the series, but he believes mental and emotional preparation will be just as crucial as making physical and tactical adjustments.

“Crucial na game yun, pero sa ngayon pahinga muna,” he said.

Game 4 is set for 5:15 p.m. on Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.

LONDON, United Kingdom -- Arsenal lifted the Premier League trophy after celebrating their first game as champions with a 2-1 win against Crystal Palace on Sunday.

Mikel Arteta's side clinched their first English title for 22 years on Tuesday when second-placed Manchester City drew at Bournemouth.

In action for the first time since the celebrations of their long-awaited triumph, the Gunners took the lead through Gabriel Jesus late in the first half at Selhurst Park.

Noni Madueke scored Arsenal's second goal after the interval to ensure the champions ended the league campaign with 26 wins from 38 games.

Since losing at City on April 19 in a game that appeared to have tilted the balance of power in their rivals' favour, Arsenal have reeled off five successive league victories to finish seven points above Pep Guardiola's team.

Once the match was over, the main event could take place as Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard got his hands on the trophy after medals were presented to Arteta and his squad.

Red confetti and fireworks exploded into the air as he hoisted the silverware, while Arsenal's stars sprayed champagne in front of thousands of Gunners fans in the Arthur Wait Stand.

Arteta was tossed into the air by his players, while Arsenal's United States-based owner Stan Kroenke and his son Josh had carried the trophy onto the pitch for the presentation ceremony.

Those ecstatic supporters kept the party going, singing songs of praise for the champions, waving inflatable replicas of the trophy and joining the players in a rendition of club anthem 'North London forever'.

Raising the trophy away from the Emirates Stadium couldn't detract from the glorious moment for Arteta and his players, who will display the silverware to many more of their adoring fans at a parade in north London on May 31.

Now Arteta's men will turn their attention to their bid to win the Champions League for the first time in the final against Paris Saint-Germain on May 30.

Winning the title was good enough but bringing home the Champions League as well would make this Arsenal's greatest season.

Arteta made a host of changes ahead of the final in Budapest, leaving Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Gabriel Magalhaes, Eberechi Eze, David Raya and Viktor Gyokeres on the bench.

Arsenal forward Max Dowman became the youngest ever player to start a Premier League match at 16 years and 144 days, surpassing the previous record set by Jose Baxter, aged 16 years and 198 days old, in 2008.

Palace boss Oliver Glasner also rested several of his key players prior to Wednesday's UEFA Conference League final against Rayo Vallecano.

Arsenal were given a guard of honour by Palace's players when they emerged onto the pitch before responding to Arteta's demand that they play with "new standards" befitting their status as champions.

On a blazing hot afternoon in south London, Jesus hit the post in the fifth minute and shot straight at Palace keeper Dean Henderson from a good position soon afterwards.

Jesus broke the deadlock in the 42nd minute, converting the trickiest of his three chances.

Gabriel Martinelli slipped a deft pass towards Jesus and the striker drilled a low drive past Henderson at his near post.

Madueke bagged Arsenal's second goal in the 48th minute and fittingly it came from a corner.

Arsenal's set-piece prowess has been the calling card of their campaign and once again they crafted a perfect dead ball goal as Kai Havertz headed back to Madueke, who volleyed home from just inside the area.

Jean-Philippe Mateta reduced the deficit with an 89th minute header, but Arsenal's celebrations were all that mattered.

MANCHESTER, United Kingdom -- Pep Guardiola said he will call his successor at Manchester City to offer advice after bringing down the curtain on a glorious decade on Sunday that transformed the club's standing.

A 2-1 defeat by Aston Villa did little to dampen the spirits of the City fans who turned out to pay homage to the Catalan, who hoovered up 20 trophies in 10 seasons at the Etihad Stadium.

One of Guardiola's former assistants and ex-Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca is reportedly set to take over and fill the enormous shoes left by the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich coach.

"When the club will tell me which one it is, of course I will call him," said Guardiola.

"I will tell him the same like I said (before), 'be yourself'. The club will support you unconditionally. That is the biggest compliment, or the biggest luck that all the managers here will have.

"You have to protect it more than any other club. Be free and with your ideas go there. Work a lot and everything will be fine."

Guardiola announced his decision to depart on Friday, less than three days on from City missing out on the Premier League title to Arsenal.

But his final season at City still yielded a League Cup and FA Cup double and he leaves the club with a refreshed squad that should still be capable of competing for honours following his departure from the Etihad.

Guardiola made his entrance on Sunday to a rousing reception alongside a giant banner bearing his face and the message "Game changer. History maker. City forever."

Catalan flags were unfurled behind one goal, while at the other end the newly named and expanded Pep Guardiola Stand was in operation for the first time.

The 55-year-old was moved to tears when Bernardo Silva was given a guard of honour by both sets of players as he was replaced in the second half.

After 19 seasons of combined service, lengthy tributes were also paid to Silva and John Stones on their final appearances for the club.

"I don't cry, but when I see Bernardo cry, I cry," added Guardiola.

Together Guardiola, Silva and Stones won six Premier League titles and the club's only Champions League in 2023 among 17 major trophies.

Guardiola revealed earlier in the week he does not plan to coach again in the near future and said he was looking forward to a break after 17 seasons at three of Europe's biggest clubs in the past 18 years.

"I am so tired," he said. "I will not miss it for a while.

"For this club, for these players, this is the right decision and thank you to the club for respecting this."