‘Old guy’ Japeth ready to face tall order with Kings
CANDON, Ilocos Sur—Japeth Aguilar made history on Sunday by becoming the oldest player named PBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player.
And getting it for the third time and the first without sharing the award, felt a lot more special for the 39-year-old Aguilar, who came to the return of the annual classic as the elder statesman.
“It’s just an exhibition game and we’re trying to give what the fans want,” said Aguilar, while adding that getting such a selection at this point in his career makes it even more special.
In this kind of game, the Barangay Ginebra star can still be a showman with his trademark dunks, either off alley-oops or windmill jams. He also sealed the deal for the North’s 147-142 win over the South at the Candon City Arena here with a two-handed slam, which was worth three points during the annual summer classic.
Aguilar tied Terrence Romeo for the second-most All-Star Game MVPs, trailing Vergel Meneses by just one and the game gave some exposure to the league’s next generation of stars like Converge’s Juan Gomez de Liaño, Justin Arana and Alec Stockton, Aguilar’s teammate RJ Abarrientos and Rain or Shine’s Adrian Nocum.
“I told them that they’re going to be here for a while,” Aguilar said. “They’re going to be here for 10 more years.”
As he expressed gratitude towards another All-Star experience—the 10th of his career—Aguilar shifts his attention back to an important challenge ahead.
Undersized kings
Aguilar and Ginebra enter the Commissioner’s Cup, where the Kings will field an undersized unit against a batch of tall reinforcements.
There are also those questioning whether Justin Brownlee still has the juice to use his speed and shooting to offset his height disadvantage like he had done in the past, given his age and the presence of the likes of Bol Bol and Kylor Kelley.
“That’s actually the exciting part about this upcoming conference,” said Aguilar. “I’m also excited about of what coach Tim [Cone] has in his sleeve and for sure Justin is up to the challenge. He’s always tested.”
The addition of Kemark Cariño, who will be available next month, could provide the needed presence underneath, along with the expected comeback of Isaac Go. They can both support Aguilar.
“I’m excited for Kemark to be under coach Tim, but we don’t want to rush him,” Aguilar said. “He just needs to keep working on his rehab. We want him to be healthy when he joins us.”
