RAYMOND Aguilar became a center of discussion online in the days after Barangay Ginebra eliminated Converge in the PBA 50th Season Philippine Cup quarterfinals.
Aguilar was seen in a video shot inside the Ginebra locker room that soon surfaced on social media imitating Juan Gomez de Liano’s celebratory gesture when he made a four-point shot in overtime of their knockout quarterfinal game last December 28.
READ Juan GdL trolled as late-game gesture backfires in OT thriller
The celebration proved to be premature as Converge was defeated by Ginebra in overtime, 99-98, on a three-pointer at the buzzer by Stephen Holt, leading to Aguilar mimick Gomez de Liano.
When a fan asked on social media what he thought about Aguilar’s act, Gomez de Liano's reply was, “Never heard of him.”
Gomez de Liano’s reply drew mixed reactions from several quarters – from fans to even Aguilar, who seemed to have embraced the label, even showing up in games wearing a ‘Mr. Never Heard’ T-shirt.
Aguilar also received bashing from fans with his action, which he doesn’t mind.
“Normal naman ang mga ganyang mga basher natin,” Aguilar told SPIN.ph. “Wala naman tayong magagawa diyan. May sari-sarili silang opinion. As a professional lang, siyempre we will take it na hindi tayo papaapekto.”
Some of the comments are directed towards Aguilar, citing the limited playing time that he has been getting at Ginebra.
“Tuloy lang sa game. Hindi naman nila alam ang nangyayari talaga sa totoo sa loob. Ang nakikita lang nila sa game lang. Hindi nila nakikita mga preparation. Hindi nila nakikita ‘yung mga sacrifices natin.”
As for the comment of Gomez de Liano, Aguilar said it is also normal for the Converge star to respond.
“Karapatan niya rin naman mag-post. So, wala tayong magagawa diyan. So, wala. Asik asik lang. Kung sumagot, siyempre, may sasagot din. So kung batuhan, batuhan. Wala tayong magagawa. Siyempre, may gaganti eh. Hindi puwedeng wala.”
The seven-time PBA champion said he is also looking at the bright side of Juan GDL’s response.
“Napaganda naman. Siyempre, medyo parang naging moniker na natin eh. Ganda naman pakinggan eh. So, wala naman, hindi naman ako napikon or what. So, napaganda lang. Magandang pakinggan,” the Ginebra veteran said.
“Ganun talaga. Wala namang problema. At least nasa semis,” 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.
