When Japeth Aguilar was first recruited to play for Gilas Pilipinas back in 2009, all he wanted to do was to improve his game.
He did not have visions of going up against NBA stars. He did not envision dunking over Kevin Durant, Ian Mahinmi, and Gorgui Dieng. He did not expect to be part of the 2014 FIBA World Cup.
He just wanted to learn more about the game and continue developing as a basketball player.
Eight years after, Aguilar has another shot at making the Olympic stage, and he wants to make the most out of the opportunity.
“That’s every athlete’s dream. To be able to compete in the Olympics. Yun na yung pinaka pinnacle ng sports talaga,” Aguilar said.
Aguilar was a rarity in the mid-2000s. In a country passionate about hoops, yet often undersized, Aguilar offered a unique view. And it wasn’t long before he was put under the microscope. People had hoped he would be the next great thing in Philippine hoops — a Vergel Meneses-Danny Seigle cross crammed inside a beanpole-esque body.
At 6-foot-9, 220 pounds, Aguilar was inevitably associated with the word potential. He was a high-flying, rim-rattling, freakishly athletic youngster and the only one who possessed such physical characteristics during that time (perhaps even up to now).
Aguilar made his first step when he transferred to Western Kentucky from Ateneo de Manila, although he spent most of his two years overseas on the bench and recovering from injuries.
Being under immense spotlight did have its setbacks for Aguilar. People tried to force Aguilar to look like what they wanted him to be, but Aguilar, at the end of the day, had just been a developing athlete.
Aguilar was top pick during the 2009 PBA Draft. After playing a single game for the Burger King Whoppers, Aguilar was traded to Talk ‘N Text, who then loaned him to Gilas I where he would finally start a meaningful trek.
“Nakakatuwa,” Aguilar recalled of what has now been an eight years of duty national team.
Aguilar had been part of several Gilas I trips, the culmination of which was the 2011 FIBA Asia Championship, where the national team gunned for a spot in the 2012 London Olympics. The team fell short, but still gave the Philippines its first semi-finals appearance in the tournament in over 24 years.
More importantly, it opened doors for Philippine basketball. The Gilas program was extended. Two years after, the country hosted the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship, where the squad copped the silver medal and made the 2014 FIBA World Cup. Aguilar was also part of those teams that captured significant accomplishments.
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Scrutiny has always been part of Aguilar’s journey, whether it’s in the PBA or the national team. There were still doubts cast against him, as the bar had been set so high for an athlete of his physique.
In spite of all the negativity, Aguilar persevered. Being so used to it, Aguilar came to a point where he didn’t even bother reacting to what others were saying. He worked hard under the tutelage of champion coaches like Chot Reyes and Tim Cone.
Day after day, Aguilar became better and better. He may still be some way from what others expect of him, but Aguilar knows a lot has changed in his game.
“Ang layo na ng narating namin. Ibang iba na rin yung laro namin compared before,” Aguilar said.
“Si Coach Tab, makukumpara ko kay Coach Tim. Gusto niya talaga attention to details. I had a chance matutunan yun kay Coach Tim, now sa kaniya rin. Gusto niya pay attention talaga. Maski footwork, may certain footwork na kailangan gawin. Talagang importante sa akin yung details,” he added.
“Sa akin lang naman talaga, gusto ko lang mag-improve.”
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Before Marcio Lassiter got cut from the Gilas 4.0 roster, he and Aguilar were the two remaining members from the original amateur-laden squad handled by Rajko Toroman from 2008 to 2011, which featured the likes of Chris Tiu, Mark Barroca, JVee Casio, Mac Baracael, and Dylan Ababou, among others.
Aguilar had shared that the two often reminisced about their Gilas I journey during the early stages of Gilas 4.0’s grind for the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
“Seatmates kami. Lagi kaming nagre-reminisce noong Gilas I kami,” Aguilar said.
Unfortunately, Lassiter did not make it to the final 14 a few weeks ago. But Aguilar did. And the selection made him look back at what the original Gilas program had sought for: an Olympic stint.
“May chance kaming ma-redeem sarili namin. Before, yung Gilas I, yung ibang countries tinatalo lang kami. And yung experience namin mababa pa,” Aguilar said.
“Ngayon may chance talaga kami. Tingin namin umaabot na kami sa basketball level ng ibang countries.”
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When Aguilar got home from a grueling European training camp last week, the first thing he did was enjoy time with his family.
“Talagang inenjoy ko yung time ko with my family. Pinagluto nila ako ng Filipino food. Actually, ako yung nagrequest sa kanila. Nagpaluyo ako ng sinigang ng baka. Yun yung namiss ko,” he shared.
Reflecting on the training camp that the team had had, Aguilar said it was necessary for the squad to become even better on the international scene.
“Maganda naman sa lahat ng teammates ko galing Europe training camp. Maraming naitulong sa amin. Yung chance na makalaban yung ibang European team, talagang sobrang high level of basketball sila eh,” he said.
“Marami kaming natutunan. Yung training camp namin sa Greece talagang nakapag-focus kami sa mga gustong ipagawa sa amin ni coach. Kumbaga, hindi kami sanay magcompete sa ganoong level ng basketball. Sila, almost every game sanay sila. Sa Asia, sanay na kami against sa mga top powerhouse. Pero sa Europe, bago sa amin.”
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Starting tomorrow, Aguilar and the rest of the national team will once again attempt to qualify for the Olympics for the first time since 1972.
Looking back at all the journeys he has had with the Gilas program, Aguilar once again noted that learning is what’s most important.
“Non-stop learning experience talaga. It’s a learning experience talaga. Nag-iiba ang laro not just locally but internationally rin.”
“Kailangan tayo makasabay. Paiba ng paiba yung istilo ng laro,” he said.
For what it’s worth, Aguilar’s basketball diary will go down as one of the more impressive ones in Philippine hoops, whether he makes this Olympics or not. For sure, he does not mind taking another shot.
But looking at the bigger picture, Aguilar is happy to have made significant strides for himself, and happy for a country that keeps rising when it comes to hoops.
“You know, Philippines has made huge strides. Nag-i-improve tayo. I really feel it is going to be soon. Hopefully it is soon enough, like us, this team,” Aguilar said. “But if not, it won’t be that long.”
