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.
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“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.”