TIME heals all wounds, but for Japeth Aguilar, he's just grateful that he gets this rare second chance to reconnect with his former coach Yeng Guiao, this time in the national team.
"I'm really looking forward playing for coach Yeng. Not only that may chance ako to represent the country, but may chance din ako to get back at him," he said.
The two's first partnership wasn't a fruitful one, to say the least.
Guiao, then calling the shots for Burger King, picked Aguilar first in the 2009 PBA Draft after the reed-thin forward's collegiate run with Western Kentucky.
After one game, though, Aguilar took a u-turn and wanted out of the team, saying that he wants to focus on cracking a spot in the first iteration of Gilas Pilipinas under coach Rajko Toroman.
His wish was met, with Burger King sending him to Talk 'N Text, which in turn loaned him to the national team program.
Almost a decade after, and here they are on the same side once again, older and wiser and this time, fighting for a bigger cause.
For Aguilar, now 31, this chance doesn't come often and he really wants to show how much he's grown from that young turk who chose to part ways with the fiery mentor.
"We all know past is past, pero it's always great to have another chance to play for him," he said.
This game against Qatar on Monday won't be just any other game, though, as Aguilar is eyeing to make up for lost time after serving his one-game suspension stemming from the now-infamous brawl last July.
"It's always an honor for me to represent the country. Now, may opportunity kami makapasok sa World Cup next year, so we'll do everything we can and I'll the best I can para matulungan ang teammates ko," he said.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
