Japeth starts training with Pilipinas team

MANILA, Philippines – Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Manny V. Pangilinan said US-based Japeth Aguilar has joined the Smart Gilas Pilipinas team under Serbian coach Rajko Toroman.

“Japeth (Aguilar) has arrived so he’s joining the practice game of Smart Gilas Pilipinas,” said Pangilinan during his surprise visit to Philippine Sports Commission chair Harry Angping Friday.

But Pangilinan, who also chairs the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines, stressed the 6-foot-10 Aguilar will be allowed to play for the all-pro RP team under coach Joseller “Yeng” Guiao.

“I think the situation is he (Aguilar) will join Smart Gilas but we’ll lend him to the PBA Nationals for the mean time. That’s the arrangement,” said Pangilinan.

Pangilinan said Aguilar, who played for US NCAA Division I school West Kentucky University, has improved a lot since he last played for the Ateneo Blue Eagles in the UAAP years back.

Import CJ Giles has also joined the RP developmental team in Las Vegas, apparently making a good impression with sterling performances against the IMPACT team composed of prospective NBA top draft picks and former All-Star Antoine Walker.

Giles will be tapped as import when Smart Gilas competes in the 20th FIBA-Asia Champions Cup slated May 12-20 in Jakarta, Indonesia.

“With Japeth and CJ Giles, we should be okay,” said Pangilinan.

Pangilinan also said it would be up to Eala and Toroman to decide whether or not Giles would be their choice for naturalization.

It can be recalled that the SBP has invited Chris Taft to join team practice here but decided in the end that the 6-foot-11 player did not fit the bill.

Giles could be the one Smart Gilas is looking for.

“We’ll leave it to Noli and Rajko if he (Giles) is really the right one,” said Pangilinan.