JAPETH AGUILAR READY TO PLAY FOR RP TEAM
by Ronnie Nathanielsz

Lanky 6’9” center Japeth Aguilar is ready to play for the Philippine national team under head coach Yeng Guiao who at a meeting of the coaches advisory group on Monday night expressed interest in checking on whether the senior at Western Kentucky University had recovered from an earlier injury and was willing to play.

In an overseas telephone conversation with www.insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports, Japeth’s father Peter Aguilar said he had a slight stress fracture during the US NCAA season last year but he had recovered and was playing once again.

Aguilar said his son would graduate next May and told him that after he graduates he would gladly join the RP team in their practices.

The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers kicked off the new season with “Hilltopper Hysteria” in Bowling Green, Kentucky where the men’s team which included Aguilar were divided into two squads in a scrimmage after which the players including new head coach Ken McDonald mingles with the fans.

Aguilar is listed in the roster as one of two centers, the other being 6’8 Nemania Milosevic.

As a junior Aguilar posted 8 points, 8 rebounds, 4 blocked shots, 3 assists and 2 steals in the Hilltoppers first two games but was injured in practice and missed the rest of the season.

Aguilar is the first homegrown Filipino basketball player ever to be recruited by a US NCAA Division I team. The young man grew up in Pampangga, played his high school ball for San Sebastian, and one year in the UAAP Seniors with Ateneo before deciding to take a chance in the US NCAA.

His father Peter suited up for the Ginebra San Miguel franchise and was known as a reliable rebounder and defender for the team with attitude of “never say die”

Coach Guiao was pleased at the willingness of Aguilar to play for the national team.