Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings’ veteran big man Japeth Aguilar during Game 2 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals against NorthPort Barang Pier. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Ginebra center Japeth Aguilar showed almost no signs of fatigue in the Gin Kings’ dominant Game 2 win over Northport in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals.
Aguilar, who barely had any form of rest in the past three weeks, powered the Gin Kings to a convincing 119-106 win to take a commanding 2-0 series lead over the Batang Pier.
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This, after having traveled with Gilas Pilipinas for not one but two trips to Chinese Taipei and New Zealand. He wasn’t able to travel with the national team in Doha, Qatar, due to personal matters.
Japeth Aguilar with Gilas Pilipinas ahead of its match up against 2025 Fiba Asia Cup qualifiers. –FIBA PHOTO
“For me, I treat playing for the national team as a blessing and I can’t complain,” said Aguilar at Philsports Arena on Friday.
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“It’s an opportunity for me to stay sharp and in shape,” added the dynamic big man.
READ: Not getting any younger, Japeth Aguilar relishes PBA finals return
The 6-foot-9 center showed just that, recording a monster outing of 31 points and eight rebounds with a blistering 61.1 field goal shooting clip.
Coach Tim Cone, who handles Aguilar in the PBA and at the international level with Gilas, gave nothing but high praises for his reliable big man.
“Japeth is a freak of nature. The way he’s able to take care of his body and being able to do the things he’s doing at his age, there’s a lot of work going into that,” said Cone of the 38-year-old veteran.
“He says it’s [Gilas stint] a blessing for him? But really it’s a blessing for the national team that he’s there.”
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Aguilar and the Gin Kings look to take a pivotal 3-0 lead over Northport on Sunday at Araneta Coliseum for Game 3.
