Wednesday, July 1, 2009

ALL EYES ON AGUILAR DEBUT VS AMERICAN COLLEGE BALLERS

Japeth Aguilar, ordained by Powerade Team Pilipinas coach Yeng Guiao as the “country’s next dominant big man,” gets his baptism of fire at 6 p.m. Thursday when the national team goes up against the visiting Soldiers of God team at The Arena in San Juan.

The 6-foot-9 son of former Northern Consolidated center Peter Aguilar put on a promising if short-lived show Monday night during his first practice session with the RP team bound for the W. Jones Cup tournament in Taipei three weeks from now and the 25th FIBA Asia Men’s Championship in Tianjin, China next month.

He impressed not only PBA commissioner Renauld ‘Sonny’ Barrios, league operations chief Rickie Santos and Philippine Olympic Committee spokesman Joey Romasanta, but also fellow frontliners Kerby Raymundo, Sonny Thoss and Mick Pennisi.

Even Guiao, a scowling presence at sideline in the PBA, couldn’t keep creases of smile from brightening up his demeanor as the long-limbed Aguilar swatted away shots and dunked with ease and authority during half-court 3-on-3 offensive sets that lasted less than an hour.

“Nakaka-ilang talaga,” said Raymundo. “Ang laki tapos ang haba pa ng mga kamay.”

Pennisi, who regularly subs for team captain Asi Taulava at center, was amazed at Aguilar’s improvement from the last time he saw him with the Ateneo Blue Eagles.

“He looks like he’s going to be something special,” Pennisi said. “He’s athletic, he’s young, and he’s got shot-blocking presence. He’s gonna fit in every well with our team, just a great addition.”

Thoss became a believer in just a short span – after seeing one his shots batted away and getting dunked on.

“He looks really good, very athletic, long arms, good shotblocker,” said Thoss. “I don’t think he’s even shown his full potential yet.”

The exhibition game with the evangelical Soldiers of God, made up of Division I players in the US NCAA, should provide Aguilar the avenue to spread his wings and showcase his talent.

Guiao, whose ballclub, Burger King could end up drafting Aguilar with the No. 1 pick if the 22-year-old Western Kentucky forward eventually decides to turn pro this year, ticked off Aguilar’s attributes almost like a sales pitch.

“He’s improved a lot, he’s more athletic, and he’s grown by about two inches from the last time I saw him with Ateneo,” said Guiao of his fellow Kapampangan.

“He’s a little bit more mobile, he’s got better footwork, and I guess the best thing about him is he’s got better touch from the outside.”

Stopping short of assuring Aguilar a spot in the national team gunning for a berth in the 16th World Championship qualifier in Istanbul, Turkey next year, Guiao said there is no rush to pinpoint Aguilar’s would-be role in the squad.

“We won’t really try to define it as of the moment,” Guiao said. “We’ll watch him in the next few days, talk to him and just try to get him more comfortable with the system and the team.”

With his long wingspan, Aguilar could be directed toward defense and rebounding, Guiao said.

“We’re not looking for him to score a bunch of points.” Guiao said.

Aguilar said he immediately felt at home with the warm welcome he received from his RP teammates.

“Nakakataba ng puso yung pagsalubong nila,” he said. “Masayang-masaya ako, at gusto ko talaga na makatulong sa RP team.”

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