June Mar Fajardo sees Japeth Aguilar still taking on an active role following his good pal’s return to the Gilas Pilipinas Men program recently.
The San Miguel Beer star offered as much, as he disagreed with the take of his Barangay Ginebra counterpart that he’ll be in the ‘background’ more this time around to give way to the national team’s younger talents.
“Hindi ‘yun. Active ‘yun,” he said moments after the Beermen’s 95-92 win over the Kings in Friday ‘s PBA Philippine Cup action at the SMART Araneta Coliseum. “Kasi ang ganda pa ng nillaro niya. Kailangan natin sa Gilas.”
Aguilar was the latest addition to the talent pool of Coach Tim Cone alongside Mason Amos in an aim to avert another manpower shortage like what happened in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers’ first window last February.
The 37-year-old, who hinted at having performed his ‘last dance’ with Gilas after their golden run in the 19th Asian Games, is now officially back serving the country after filling in for the depleted frontcourt in the said Qualifiers.
He believes, however, that he may no longer be assuming a big role like what he’s done since first playing for the Philippine team way back in 2009.
“Nafi-feel ko this time, I’ll be in the background because marami tayong mga young and talented guys,” said Aguilar after the Ginebra-SMB game as well.
“Sobrang promising — si Kai [Sotto], si AJ [Edu], si Kevin [Quiambao], si Carl [Tamayo]. They’re not even playing in the PBA, pero very promising. Very excited ako na nakaka-practice sila, kailangan natin sila sa OQT.”
But then, Fajardo, his GIlas teammate since 2013, begged to differ, saying that the Kapampangan forward will always be as important as he’s been.
“Kahit hanggang 40 si Japeth, kaya pa niya,” he said. “Sobrang athletic ni Japeth. Masaya ako na makasama siya. Roommate ko na naman siguro ulit yun.”
