If you have a 6’ 9” height, with exceptional athletic talent and experience playing in NCAA Division 1 in college, expect that PBA Teams will sign you just name your price or you will be given a slot on our national team.
That is JAPETH AGUILAR.
From his college years with Ateneo to NCAA Division 1 experience to being the Number 1 Draft pick in 2009 and a Smart Gilas mainstay, his resume is very impressive. But the question is, “Is he (Japeth) the next big thing in Philippine Basketball?”
Gone are the days of a physically gifted big man landed in the PBA with the likes of Ramon Fernandez, Abet Guidaben and Benjie Paras. I will not mention the coming of EJ Feihl, Cris Bolado, Yancy de Ocampo and even Samigue Eman. But when Japeth applied for the 2009 PBA Draft, we see a bright future ahead of him and being picked by the Burger King under Coach Yeng Guiao as the first overall pick. But after that, wind of change cam to his mind and announcing that he will play for the flag, and not for the PBA. A lot of critics blame him because if he wanted to play for the country, why did he apply for the draft? But after being feared of facing a lifetime ban in the PBA, a trade was consummated to transfer Japeth to Talk N Text for some bag of Nips.
The trade allowed him to play for the NT. And we saw what Japeth can bring to the team. He even explode for 21 points and 15 rebounds in 15 minutes against the Syria, but unable to strut his stuff against the powerhouse team China.
Doubters claim that even Japeth has the height of a giant and can put up super dunks and alley-ops; still he is a defensive liability to the team. But if you will observe how Japeth plays inside the court, you will notice the following: Poor dribbling skills, doesn’t have the post up moves, inconsistent from mid-range and beyond and poor body frame to push off bigger and stronger player inside the paint. Those skills are very important especially if you will be the starting center of any PBA or NT.
But still, Japeth has yet to experience the PBA brand of game this season. His experience in the FIBA Asia will help him to be one of the top centers to play in the PBA.
What is the tall order for Japeth? Another run of grandslam for the Talk N Text this season…
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