Japeth Aguilar was just on fire on a cold December night
In his five years in the PBA, Ginebra’s towering big man Japeth Aguilar has never experienced a night like the Christmas of 2016.
A career 24 percent three-point shooter, the 6-foot-9 stretch forward absolutely torched rivals Star Hotshots. After being passive with his shot with his shot during the first 12 minutes of the game, he was able to muster some confidence to attempt his first three-pointer of the game with 2:04 left in the first half.
And it was just the start of a career-outing for the 29-year-old.
“When I took the first shot, it went in, I was happy,” reflected Aguilar.
“I took the second shot, it went in again and then on my third shot, I was thinking of just gonna pass it but when I took it pumasok, I’m like okay, this is good. Towards the second half my fourth shot, I was like really happy about it.”
The second generation cager finished the game setting a personal high of 32 points on 10-for-15 shooting, leading Ginebra to an 86-79 win over Star to even their slate. Surprisingly, he also ended up going a perfect 5-for-5 from distance. Not only did it surprise the people watching but also Aguilar himself.
“This is one of those moments in my basketball career na never did I expect, 5 out of 5 from the three-point line. At first I was hesitant pa nga sa three-points eh,” he shared.
One person though who was not hesitant to tell Aguilar to pull the trigger is head coach Tim Cone.
“We’ve been encouraging him to shoot threes, and he hit his threes tonight,” the multi-titled mentor said.
Cone, who coached Japeth’s father Peter before in Alaska, affirmed that he always believed Japeth could have nights like this.
“If you remember, I coached his dad, Peter. And Peter was like the best shooting big man I’ve ever seen, so when I first saw Japeth, he looked exactly the same. Same form, everything,” Cone reflected.
“Japeth has great form and great ability to be that kind of player that can shoot shots like that. His dad was lights out. So I’m not surprised by it. Hopefully, we don’t live by it, but that is a nice weapon to keep.”
But rather than overthink what he had accomplished, he just plans to cherish it because he knows that this will be one of his bucket list.
“It’s a special moment talaga in my career kasi sooner or later I’m gonna look back in this game and say I’m part of this game and part of one of the greatest rivalry in the PBA,” he closed.
