Japeth Aguilar has delayed his retirement from Gilas Pilipinas multiple times already. But this time, he is almost sure he is done with national team duties.
The end to a decorated Gilas Pilipinas career could come very soon for Japeth Aguilar.
Aguilar bared that this upcoming first window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers could be his swan song in his national team career that began in 2009.
“This might be my last, kahit ilang beses ko nang sinabi. Pero truly, I feel like it might be my last this year,” Aguilar said with a smile.
“Actually, this window. I feel like this window in Guam."
It was a retirement from Gilas duty six years in the making for the 6-foot-9 cager.
That's because with the current iteration of the Nationals missing key players like injured Kai Sotto, who is still recovering from an ACL injury, Aguilar felt he needed to help out in whatever capacity.
“Actually, I thought I was done six or eight years ago. It just happened na si coach Tim (Cone) 'yong head coach ngayon ng Gilas,” Aguilar said.
The 38-year-old forward said he can look back and be proud of what he has accomplished with his Gilas brothers, including three World Cup appearances beginning in 2014.
“[I've had my] fair share ng ups and downs. But I'm very happy and also proud na consistent na nakapapasok sa World Cup. That’s not easy, ha. Imagine-in mo, nakasasama ang Philippines in the World Cup,” he said.
With Sotto, AJ Edu and Quentin Millora-Brown now in the fold, Aguilar is confident Gilas is in good hands.
[RELATED STORY: Quentin Millora-Brown relishes opportunity to learn from Gilas vets like June Mar Fajardo]
“Definitely, ang laki ng potential ng grupo na 'to. Sobrang versatile nila. Kailangan lang makuha 'yong sistema ni coach,” Aguilar said.
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Like most sportswriters, Jan Ballesteros once dreamed of becoming a professional hooper. But he learned the hard way that it’s not for everyone.
He continues to be involved in the sport he loves, but this time as a member of the PBA Press Corps. Aside from primarily covering the PBA, he is also assigned to cover Gilas Pilipinas.