JAPETH Aguilar's game-winner for Barangay Ginebra against Blackwater on Friday epitomized the trust that head coach Tim Cone and staff has given to him with the maturity he has shown as of late.
READ: Clutch Japeth jumper bails out Ginebra in thriller vs Blackwater
Cone said Aguilar has really transformed into a player that the Gin Kings can lean on any time, especially in the clutch, as he has now become the team's sole alpha big.
“I’ve been with Japeth now for I don’t know how many years. But watching the maturity that he has gone through over the years is just amazing. We really rely on that now. He is one of our most mature, I’m not talking about age-wise, I’m talking about emotional-wise, he is one of our most mature players now,” he said.
Aguilar had 22 points and six rebounds on Friday in Ginebra’s 101-99 win over the Bossing. The Gin Kings turned to the 38-year-old in the endgame, where he buried a mid-range jumper from the left corner that proved to be the difference.
Alpha Aguilar
Cone said Aguilar has come into his own after years of playing alongside another big.
“He is really coming through. He was, if I may say, the 'Robin' to Greg [Slaughter] and the 'Robin' to Christian [Standhardinger]. And now, he is our 'Batman,'” he said.
“We go to him and we have high expectations for him and he fills it out every night. No doubt, we have complete confidence in him.”
Following his heroic performance against Blackwater, Aguilar is now averaging 19 points and seven rebounds through seven games.
For his part, Ginebra's new 'Batman' said he took it upon himself to bring his presence as a veteran.
“I have that role now in the team. Dati, si LA [Tenorio] ‘yun. When LA was not there, it was Jared [Dillinger]. Kailangan ko maging conscious. I just want to bring positivity like my body language, my reaction. Ako na ‘yung pinaka-senior sa team. It’s got to start sa akin kasi ako na ‘yung pinaka-senior sa team,” said Aguilar.
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.
