With valuable lessons learned from former teammates Jimmy Alapag and Gabe Norwood, Japeth Aguilar, the newly designated captain of Gilas Pilipinas, stands fully prepared to guide the national team in the upcoming FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023.
At 36 years old, Aguilar holds the distinction of being the most seasoned player on the national team, having participated in the two previous editions of the World Cup. He reflects on the extensive wisdom gained from his former Gilas captains Alapag and Norwood, during their shared international endeavors.
The towering 6-foot-9 athlete hailing from Sasmuan, Pampanga, intends to draw inspiration from the exemplary leadership styles of Alapag and Norwood as he assumes the role of captain for Gilas Pilipinas.
“Just based on my experience [from] my previous captain ball, captain Jimmy Alapag and Gabe Norwood, they really set the bar high. Yung nakita ko sa kanila is how they take pride in their craft. Like every day in practice, their routines, hindi nagbabago,” said Aguilar.
Aguilar’s interactions with Alapag and Norwood took place during the 2013 FIBA Asia Cup, where they achieved a historic silver medal, and the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Seville, Spain.
During Norwood’s leadership of Gilas Pilipinas in the 2019 FIBA World Cup, Aguilar, along with four other players, formed a continuity link from the previous global basketball event.
The soft-spoken forward from Ginebra revealed that although he might not possess the same vocal demeanor as his predecessors, he is committed to leading by example and implementing the invaluable lessons he has garnered over time, to guide the emerging Gilas squad in the impending World Cup.
“Their professionalism. Jimmy, talagang highs and lows, talagang hindi nagbabago so yun lang yung gusto kong i-emulate sa kaniya and at the same time sana makita ng younger guys ‘cause for me, I’m really not a vocal and eloquent like them guys,” said Aguilar.
“But for me, yun lang, day in and day out, yun lang. I’ll try to strive for excellent in the court and hopefully yun yung maipasa ko sa mga younger guys.”
Aguilar and the entire Gilas Pilipinas team are set to launch their World Cup campaign against Karl-Anthony Towns and the Dominican Republic on Friday at 8:00 p.m., hosted at the Philippine Arena.
