LAS VEGAS – Even for just a fleeting moment, Japeth Aguilar is taking his thoughts away from the NBA D-League.
All for the sake of watching Manny Pacquiao live.
Aguilar blew into town over the weekend in the hope of witnessing greatness unfold as he watches Pacquiao duel Juan Manuel Marquez in a non-title welterweight bout at the MGM Grand.
The 6-foot-9 Aguilar was recently tapped as a practice player by the Sta. Cruz Warriors after being the last man cut by the D-League team prior to the new season.
He arrived here together with former PBA player Django Rivera, a close buddy of his father Peter Aguilar. Rivera and his family have struck a friendship with Pacquiao after the two played together in a basketball exhibition game.
“First time kong manonood (Pacquiao fight) through Tito Django,” said Aguilar, 25, in an exclusive interview with Spin.ph at the Mandalay Bay.
It’s a good thing the Warriors are currently playing on the road, giving Aguilar some spare time to travel all the way to the world’s entertainment capital and enjoy the fight.
“Kapag nasa road kasi sila (Warriors), hindi ako kasama. Sa home games lang ako kasama ng team,” the former Western Kentucky University big man said.
Aguilar is also grateful for all the help being extended to him by the Warriors.
“Sinasabi nila sa akin na tutulungan nila akong ihanap ng teams especially kung may gustong kumuha sa akin,” he said.
But on Saturday (Sunday, Manila time), Aguilar would rather not concern himself with the NBADL.
On this night, he’d rather be a casual Pacquiao fan.
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