JAPETH Aguilar is taking his new role as Gilas Pilipinas team captain to heart, knowing the great names that took on the part in the past.
In his third straight stint with the national team in the World Cup, Aguilar was tasked as the team’s skipper even though he admitted that he is not as outspoken as the other Gilas leaders of the past.
Still, Aguilar wants to be an excellent example to the players now that he is one of the elder statesman in the team.
“As a person, I’m not really vocal. Pero I just want to thank ‘yung mga naging captain ball because they showed me, they paved the way, they represented the Philippines with dignity, with honor, pride, and respect. ‘Yun ang nakita ko sa kanila,” said Aguilar.
READ: Japeth Aguilar among Gilas Final 12
The 36-year-old Aguilar paid tribute to his former captains, Jimmy Alapag in 2014, and Gabe Norwood in 2019 as he learned a lot from them in how to do play the role as the leader.
“They are household names here in the Philippines – captain Jimmy Alapag, Gabe Norwood. They really set the bar high. I just want to thank them because they really paved the way for us, for me. My leadership naman is through example,” said Aguilar.
Aguilar said he already had an inkling that he will eventually be in the running for being a team captain down the road.
“We had a window, one in Lebanon and one in Jordan, I was the captain ball din eh. Kinda expected ko na rin,” said Aguilar.
Aguilar said his inclusion to the national team at this stage of his career carries much more meaning since he had injuries recently.
“I’m always thankful and honored to be on board. Thankful ako kay God throughout the years, mainly very important ‘yung health, before the training camp, I was injured. I was out for three months. In my mind, hindi na ako makakabalik sa top shape. Pero it’s a lot of hardwork sa training camps namin. Happy and blessed lang na napasama sa national team,” said Aguilar.
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