IT’S only fitting Japeth Aguilar was voted team captain of Gilas Pilipinas in the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
Aside from being the most season out of the 12-man roster, this one could likely be his final stint in the quadrennial showcase.
READ: How soft-spoken Japeth leads as Gilas captain
“Gustuhin ko man or hindi, darating tayo dun. I mean there’s a big chance,” Aguilar said when asked about the possibility of finally retiring from the national team.
Now 36 years of age, the veteran big man said he doesn’t exactly know what the future holds for him, health-wise especially.
The next World Cup will happen in 2027 in Doha, Qatar.
“I will be 40 by then. And hindi natin alam kung ano ba yung health ko nun,” the 6-foot-9 Aguilar said.
Aguilar was part of the Smart Gilas Pilipinas program under former coach Rajko Toroman and has served the national team on a continuous basis since then.
He’s now in his third straight World Cup and remains as one of two remnants along with fellow big June Mar Fajardo from that 2014 national team that returned to basketball’s biggest stage after a 35-year absence.
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