Push Admin

For Japeth Aguilar, playing for Gilas never gets old: 'It's an honor'

Article (news)

Rick Olivares

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2018/news/11/30/japhet.jpg"/><figcaption>How does it feel playing for the national team 9 years running now? Japeth Aguilar says, &quot;It never gets old.&quot; Rick Olivares</figcaption></figure></div>MANILA, PHILIPPINES--Japeth Aguilar is the longest serving men&#x27;s national basketball player having suited up for Gilas Pilipinas since 2009.How does he feel about this?&quot;It is an honor,&quot; said Aguilar during the team send-off at the Meralco compound recently. &quot;When I said I wanted to play for the national team back then, I meant it. And I very much enjoy it.&quot;Aguilar, the first overall pick in the 2009 PBA rookie draft by the Burger King Whoppers, infamously declined to suit up for his PBA club and instead play for the national team. Facing a league ban proposed by then PBA president Lito Alvarez, an amicable settlement was reached where Aguilar played one match for the Whopper Kings after which he was traded to Talk ‘N Text then released to the national team. The 6-foot-9 Aguilar, the son of former pro Peter Aguilar, has played for Rajko Toroman, Chot Reyes, Tab Baldwin, and now Yeng Guiao in the national side. &quot;I think having been under all those coaches, I learned a lot. And I have matured a lot,&quot; laughed Aguilar.Curiously, his first PBA coach was Yeng Guiao who was then with the Whopper Kings. And Japeth’s father, Peter also played for Guiao in the old PABL with Swift’s. “That’s all water under the bridge,” laughed Aguilar of the controversial decision he made back in 2009. “And it is good to be playing for Coach Yeng.”On the eve of the crucial home stand versus Kazakhstan and Iran, Aguilar waxed electric about playing in front of what will surely be a boisterous home crowd. &quot;I know everyone says this, but playing for the national team, for national pride, and in front of the home fans -- it never gets old,&quot; he said.To date, Aguilar has played in over 70 games for the national team, making him one of the most capped of all Filipino players.(For more sports coverage, visit the <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com/">ABS-CBN Sports website</a>).

How does Japeth Aguilar, donning the national-team colors for 9 years now, feel about being the longest-serving member of Gilas Pilipinas

How does Japeth Aguilar, donning the national-team colors for 9 years now, feel about being the longest-serving member of Gilas Pilipinas