BARANGAY Ginebra rewarded big man Japeth Aguilar with a fresh three-year contract following another sterling season with the team that counts him as one of its go-to-guys.
The 6-foot-9 Aguilar, handled by the Espiritu Manotoc Basketball Management (EMBM), signed the deal on Wednesday. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Coach Tim Cone batted for Aguilar's importance in the team.
"Japeth has made such spectacular strides in terms of growth over the three years," said Cone.
"Over the last three years, he's improved in all facets of his game, and he plays with such maturity," added the Ginebra coach. "He's become the guy we rely on day in and day out."
The national team mainstay was a key player in the Kings’ stunning run to the PBA Commissioner’s Cup title that saw them topple top favorite San Miguel in six games.
Ginebra was also poised to retain its Governors Cup crown but was ambushed by Magnolia in four games in the semifinals.
The Kings’ ouster also dealt a big blow to Aguilar’s bid for the Best Player of the Conference award that saw him finish third behind rookie Christian Standhardinger at the end of the playoffs with 32.9 statistical points.
He averaged 17.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.08 blocks in the season-ending meet.
Aguilar was the second player Ginebra signed in a week after the team also inked Aljon Mariano to a similar three-year deal on Saturday.
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