http://businessmirror.com.ph/home/sports/12505-japeth-aguilar-back-in-red-white-and-blue.html
Japeth Aguilar back in red, white, and blue
by rick olivares with reuben terrado
photo taken by "Big Game" James Yap & me
Japeth Aguilar back in red, white, and blue
by rick olivares with reuben terrado
photo taken by "Big Game" James Yap & me
It is a more confident Japeth Aguilar who faced the news cameras last Monday night, June 29, 2009 at the San Juan Arena in his first official practice with the Powerade RP Men’s National Team. Unlike three years ago when he left for the United States to play for Western Kentucky, he was shy and soft spoken.
A two-inch growth spurt that puts him at 6’9” to go with some bulk to his once sinewy frame, a better command of the English language not to mention some legitimate American Division One National Collegiate Athletic Association experience… yes, he’s feeling more confident and aware of what he can do for his country.
On his way home to the Philippines from the United States on board a Korean Air Lines jet, he felt a wave of excitement that almost kept him awake throughout the flight including the four-hour stopover at Seoul. “I thought of all my friends and my former teammates that I missed,” he admitted. “Three years? Ang tagal din.”
It was disappointing for him that he never got to fully strut his stuff for the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers in the Sun Belt Conference as he battled an assortment of injuries. His best game came against Kennesaw State in his third game with his new team when he posted four points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals. “But I am good and healthy now and I hope makatulong ako sa national team.”
Powerade Head Coach Yeng Guiao was clearly excited about adding Aguilar to his already packed line-up. “He can play the four or the five. His height, athleticism, and defensive presence will really help. But he has to add some more bulk, a few more pounds that he will need when he goes up against the tall players of the other teams.”
National Team Assistant Coach Kenneth Duremdes hasn’t seen Aguilar play but he was excited about what he could bring. “Iba rin yung experience ni Japeth in the US,” smiled Duremdes who is also coaching Coca Cola in the PBA. “Yung size niya at yung speed ay malaking tulong na sa team. He adds depth tour line-up. Plus nasanay yun sa malalaki na kalaban at mga nag-NBA.”
Aguilar admitted to dreaming about making the NBA. Even if he didn’t make it, seeing his Hilltopper teammate Courtney Lee make it to the Orlando Magic and become a star with the Florida-based squad was good enough for him. “Magaling talaga,” he pronounced of Lee who was recently traded in the off-season in a multi-player deal that sent Vince Carter to the Magic while he went to the New Jersey Nets along with Rafer Alston and Tony Battie.
And Aguilar didn’t need any prodding when the call of duty to the national team came. “My father (former pro player Peter) was also in the national team so it’s an honor. Malaking karangalan ‘to.”
It is such a big deal for him that he is excited about playing not just for the Powerade team but also the Smart Gilas squad (barring any conflict) that also has Chris Tiu, his former teammate at Ateneo. “Bakit naman hindi?” he said when asked if he can manage shuttling between the two teams. “Syempre okay mag-PBA. Dream yun nga lahat naman siguro na basketball player. Pero yung chance na mag-represent ng bansa at kung meron chance makalaro sa Olympics, hindi lagi nangyayari yan.”
While in the United States, he tried to keep up with local basketball by watching UAAP games on the internet and on youtube. Even thousands of miles away, he always thought of what he left behind.
Prior to his first practice with the Powerade Team, he obliged to pose for photographers in his national team digs. “It feels good to be back in blue,” he said of his uniform which reminded him of his Ateneo Blue Eagles colors that he used to don. “Lagi yun nakatakda sa isip at utak ko. Now, the blue also represents our country.”
“Imagine nakalaro ako for Ateneo at sa Western Kentucky para sa Division One basketball. Now national team and chance mag-pro,” he gushed. “That’s the next stage of my dream."
A two-inch growth spurt that puts him at 6’9” to go with some bulk to his once sinewy frame, a better command of the English language not to mention some legitimate American Division One National Collegiate Athletic Association experience… yes, he’s feeling more confident and aware of what he can do for his country.
On his way home to the Philippines from the United States on board a Korean Air Lines jet, he felt a wave of excitement that almost kept him awake throughout the flight including the four-hour stopover at Seoul. “I thought of all my friends and my former teammates that I missed,” he admitted. “Three years? Ang tagal din.”
It was disappointing for him that he never got to fully strut his stuff for the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers in the Sun Belt Conference as he battled an assortment of injuries. His best game came against Kennesaw State in his third game with his new team when he posted four points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals. “But I am good and healthy now and I hope makatulong ako sa national team.”
Powerade Head Coach Yeng Guiao was clearly excited about adding Aguilar to his already packed line-up. “He can play the four or the five. His height, athleticism, and defensive presence will really help. But he has to add some more bulk, a few more pounds that he will need when he goes up against the tall players of the other teams.”
National Team Assistant Coach Kenneth Duremdes hasn’t seen Aguilar play but he was excited about what he could bring. “Iba rin yung experience ni Japeth in the US,” smiled Duremdes who is also coaching Coca Cola in the PBA. “Yung size niya at yung speed ay malaking tulong na sa team. He adds depth tour line-up. Plus nasanay yun sa malalaki na kalaban at mga nag-NBA.”
Aguilar admitted to dreaming about making the NBA. Even if he didn’t make it, seeing his Hilltopper teammate Courtney Lee make it to the Orlando Magic and become a star with the Florida-based squad was good enough for him. “Magaling talaga,” he pronounced of Lee who was recently traded in the off-season in a multi-player deal that sent Vince Carter to the Magic while he went to the New Jersey Nets along with Rafer Alston and Tony Battie.
And Aguilar didn’t need any prodding when the call of duty to the national team came. “My father (former pro player Peter) was also in the national team so it’s an honor. Malaking karangalan ‘to.”
It is such a big deal for him that he is excited about playing not just for the Powerade team but also the Smart Gilas squad (barring any conflict) that also has Chris Tiu, his former teammate at Ateneo. “Bakit naman hindi?” he said when asked if he can manage shuttling between the two teams. “Syempre okay mag-PBA. Dream yun nga lahat naman siguro na basketball player. Pero yung chance na mag-represent ng bansa at kung meron chance makalaro sa Olympics, hindi lagi nangyayari yan.”
While in the United States, he tried to keep up with local basketball by watching UAAP games on the internet and on youtube. Even thousands of miles away, he always thought of what he left behind.
Prior to his first practice with the Powerade Team, he obliged to pose for photographers in his national team digs. “It feels good to be back in blue,” he said of his uniform which reminded him of his Ateneo Blue Eagles colors that he used to don. “Lagi yun nakatakda sa isip at utak ko. Now, the blue also represents our country.”
“Imagine nakalaro ako for Ateneo at sa Western Kentucky para sa Division One basketball. Now national team and chance mag-pro,” he gushed. “That’s the next stage of my dream."
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