WHEN Mark Barroca and Japeth Aguilar made their picks in the PBA All-Star Draft Show last week, the two had a fun time recalling how their careers intertwined, especially during their stints as members of the national tyeam.
Barroca and Aguilar were part of Smart Gilas, the first iteration of the current Gilas Pilipinas national program where a group of amateur players were kept intact for a number of years. The program produced a fourth-place finish in the 2011 Fiba Asia Championship, bowing to Korea in a close match for a place in the London Olympics.
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Barroca and Aguilar, both 37, are glad that over the years, they have kept their PBA careers at a high level. And the journey continues as both ended up as team captains in the All-Star Game, 15 years since Gilas 1.0 was formed.
Both agreed that their memories and experiences during Gilas 1.0 that came in the early part of their basketball careers helped shaped their attitude toward life, sports and personal relationships.
“Kapag nagkikita kami, siyempre pinag-uusapan namin ‘yung experience namin, mga kulitan, sa laro,” said Barroca.
"Three years na magkakasama kami. Daming memories na nangyari doon. Nache-cherish namin everytime na nagkikita kami,” said Barroca, a six-time PBA champion with Magnolia.
Japeth also spoke warmly on those halcyon days when he and Barroca were just starting to build their careers.
“’Yun ‘yung laging tumatatak sa isang tao, ‘yung pa-start ka pa lang, nag-uumpisa ka pa lang, you are only starting to make a name for yourself. Tapos ngayon, Mark Barroca na siya. Mga simple beginnings, hindi ko makakalimutan ‘yun,” said Aguilar, who had three Fiba Basketball World Cup appearances to his name.
Smart Gilas roommates
“Naging roommate ko rin siya (Barroca) sa Serbia. Sobrang sipag nito. Sobra. ‘Yung work ethic, tingnan mo naman hanggang ngayon,” he added.
Barroca and Aguilar were the top two vote-getters in the PBA All-Star Game to earn the right to serve as team captains for their respective ballclubs. Barroca’s team will be coached by San Miguel’s Jorge Gallent, while Aguilar’s squad will be handled by Ginebra’s Tim Cone.
Barroca said he will form a competitive squad for the All-Star Game knowing that Aguilar’s team will be coached by Cone.
‘”Yung binuo kong team, palaban at siyempre alam naman natin, Japeth with coach Tim Cone, gusto nila competitive ‘yung All-Star. Siyempre ako, gusto ko rin competitive ‘yung mga teammates ko with coach Jorge. Kay coach Jorge, kapag gumana ka, gagamitin ka niya talaga, ‘yung energy nandoon lagi,” said Barroca.
Aguilar said he consulted with Cone when forming his team.
“Talagang mahirap mag-draft. You can never go wrong. Pero alam naman natin na strategist si coach Tim, siya na bahalang mag-isip,” said Aguilar.
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