^

Sports

Aguilar cherishes chance to play again under Guiao, calls it his 'payback'

Denison Rey A. Dalupang - Philstar.com
Aguilar cherishes chance to play again under Guiao, calls it his 'payback'
Japeth Aguilar of Team Pilipinas grabs the leather from the Qataris during a closed-door FIBA World Cup Asian qualifying game at the Araneta Coliseum on Monday night.
Philstar.com Photo / Jonatahan Asuncion

MANILA, Philippines — Nearly a decade removed from their messy break-up at Burger King, Japeth Aguilar seemed to have scripted the best apology for Yeng Guiao.

The longtime Gilas Pilipinas member flirted with a double-double in an effort to boost the Filipinos — under the watchful eye of only 220 people — past the bigger Qataris on Monday night’s FIBA World Cup qualifying game at the Big Dome.

“Definitely,” Aguilar said if his gritty performance was in a way to make up for his rookie move to ditch his first PBA team — then coached by Guiao — for Talk ’N Text.

“I suffered from the consequences, sa lahat ng mga desisyon ko sa buhay,” Aguilar added. “It's sweet na ma-under ulit ako kay coach Yeng and this time around, medyo mature na ako and everything. Past is past pero I wish napagdesisyunan ko nang maayos ‘yung nangyari."

The athletic Aguilar went on to tally 16 points and haul down nine boards — only second to the prolific performance of Beau Belga.

Most of Aguilar’s heavy lifting came when the Nationals needed a boost. He was the cager who scored the two points that put the Philippines back on top in the third quarter after staring at a 17-point deficit in the first half.

But Aguilar, now 31, candidly said that he’s not sure if such a gesture will be enough.

“Hindi ko masasabi [that it suffices] kasi …. nag-umpisa pa lang ulit 'yung journey. Every time naman na matatawag 'yung pangalan ko, I'm really going to give my best so ‘ayun.” 

The 6-foot-10 forward’s game on Monday is his first since serving a one-game ban following the unfortunate incident with the Aussies last July 2.

One thing’s for sure if you ask Japeth: Together, he and coach Guiao will get by.

“Like what coach Yeng said: sama-sama kung hanggang saan man mapunta.”

BASKETBALL

FIBA WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS

TEAM PILIPINAS

Philstar
  • Latest
  • Trending
Latest
Latest
abtest
Are you sure you want to log out?
X
Login

Philstar.com is one of the most vibrant, opinionated, discerning communities of readers on cyberspace. With your meaningful insights, help shape the stories that can shape the country. Sign up now!

Get Updated:

Signup for the News Round now

FORGOT PASSWORD?
SIGN IN
or sign in with