NEAR the end of the second quarter in a tight Ginebra-TNT clash, Japeth Aguilar decided to throw it back a little bit and remind this league’s next-generation of big men – Henry Galinato Jr. to be exact – the type of player that he was in his prime.
With over 30 seconds remaining in the first half, the 39-year-old soared high over the 28-year-old Galinato who helped late and unfortunately became an accessory in an Aguilar poster that has come far and few in between as Father Time catches up with the former Ateneo and West Kentucky product.
READ: Scottie warns Ginebra can't live and die by Brownlee's magic
Aguilar, of course, has taken a backseat in Ginebra’s conference this season as years of mileage in the PBA and with Gilas Pilipinas has taken a toll on his body.
Not helping his cause was a mid-conference injury after getting walloped by the big-bodied Robert Upshaw III in their win over Blackwater – keeping him out of a few weeks before returning right in time for the playoffs.
So when he soared high and dunked it over Galinato, everybody was excited for him – even his TNT opponent and Gilas Pilipinas teammate Calvin Oftana who had some jokes for him as he faced the press.
“Grabe ang yabang naman nung dunk,” Oftana joked around as Aguilar answered questions from PBA beat reporters after Ginebra’s 100-95 win in Game 5 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup finals.
Well everybody was excited.. except for Aguilar.
For the soft-spoken Kapampangan, it was just him simply playing his role which is to give energy and give guys like Troy Rosario and Justin Brownlee some important minutes of rest.
“Wala naman.. ang role ko lang magbigay ng energy sa loob. Coming off the bench ako. Yun lang ang role ko tulungan yung teammates ko sa loob,” Aguilar said.
“Sobrang struggle buong game at talagang lumaban sila [mga teammates]. Credit talaga sa mga lumaban sa loob.”
And play his role he did as he finished with 12 points on 3-4 shooting in just 13 mintues of action off the bench, providing energy on both ends of the floor as he also took the role of defending Chris McCullough each time he’s on the court.
Actually, Aguilar has been playing solid over the past three games for Barangay Ginebra – averaging 11.6 points and four rebounds in limited minutes for coach Tim Cone.
His recent play should be a call for celebration, considering how he’s gone in and out of Ginebra’s rotation this conference but for Aguilar, that will come if they finish the job.
“We can’t celebrate yet,” Aguilar said.
“Di pa namin naachieve yung goal namin. Naalala ko rin na ganyan din kami last time, umabot kami Game 7 [at natalo]. Kailangan focus parin, see where we can get better.”
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.
