I’ve been a fan of Japeth Aguilar ever since his Ateneo
days. Despite his limited minutes, he showed flashes of brilliance with his
inborn athleticism and length. Seeing a 6’7” (I think that was his height that
time) 17 year old drive to the basket with such speed was something we
Filipinos were not accustomed to. Sky’s the limit for that 17 year old.
But as I mentioned, only flashes were seen as he was given
limited minutes. And it was just right that he got limited minutes. I mean,
those were the college dominant days of Larry Fonacier and LA
Tenorio. I know, they played different positions but the names I mentioned
above owned the two Ateneo teams Japeth played for so plays were designed and
focused for those players. And in Japeth’s position were older and more
experienced players like JC Intal and Doug Kramer. Japeth was going to get his
time to shine and be “the man”.
But Japeth had dreams of playing in the NBA, league of the
world’s best players, so he transferred to the States and suited up for WKU
playing alongside Courtney Lee. We were deprived of seeing Japeth dominate UAAP
and instead, we saw Ford Arao transform from a role player to a go-to-guy.
We all know how Japeth’s career in WKU turned out. Japeth
was not eligible to play in his first year in the States as he had to serve a
one year residency period. In his second year, he was supposed to be part of
the rotation but then got injured. And on his last year, who would take time and
be patient with an undeveloped senior? If WKU developed him on his senior year,
they would not get any long term benefits.
So Japeth came back to the Philippines with so much hype. I,
for one, was one of the excited fans to see how the athletic Japeth developed.
Sure, he may have had limited minutes in WKU but he attended their practices.
He was playing against taller, stronger, and more athletic players so he should
have developed. He then played for Coach Yeng Guiao’s Powerade National Team
and then again saw limited minutes. After all, he was playing with Asi Taulava,
Mick Pennisi, Sonny Thoss, and Kerby Raymundo.
He then became the 2009 PBA first overall pick by Burger King
and for sure, Coach Yeng would now give him his minutes. But then a
telenovela-ish saga happened where Japeth decided he wanted to play for Smart Gilas
instead. I, for one, supported him in his decision. I am, after all, a big fan
of any Philippine team who would represent the country. And a part of me thinks
that Japeth made that decision still thinking about the NBA. Playing for Smart
Gilas would give him more international exposure and experience playing against
bigger players from other countries. Then for some reason, he got limited
minutes from Coach Rajko Toroman in their last few tournaments. I don’t want to
delve into why.
Then he played in the PBA and had a solid year playing for Talk
‘N Text. But there was no way he was going to dominate the minutes and be the
man in his rookie year (although he was not technically a rookie since he played
one game in 2009 but come on, that was his rookie year) playing with Ali Peek,
Kelly Williams, Ranidel de Ocampo, and Harvey Carey in a championship calibre
team.
From PBA Images
Then this year, he wanted to pursue his NBA Dream once again
so he went back to the States. He said it was “Now or Never” for him. He went
to the states and had some private work outs with different NBA teams. Unfortunately,
he was not invited to any NBA training camp so he tried his luck in the
D-League. He was drafted by the Santa Cruz Warriors and played 2 pre-season
games with them. It was crazy. Filipinos were following his every move and
every day there would be news about his progress in the D-League. I guess that
placed so much pressure on him but it also added publicity to help him make the
team. Unfortunately, just recently he
got waived.
As soon as he got cut, bashers were quick to put “hate
comments” on him with the “I told you so” comments. That he should be realistic
with his dreams and his talents are such a waste because “he does not have Basketball
IQ” (these comments from people who I’m sure have so much of it. sarcasm). And then the typical lines of Filipinos should
not love Basketball as we are not meant for it. We do not have the height and
skills for it.
And yet, after all that I’m still a fan of Japeth. Why?
-
- Because he is a dreamer and does something to
get it. Sure, he got a major set back and there is a big possibility he might
not reach his dreams anymore, but at least he tried. He won’t have any regrets
when he’s old. 20s is the time where you go for what you want and not hold
anything back. Sometimes, we need dreamers. Because people who become contented
in life easily will remain where they are.
- Because he showed everyone we are in control of
our lives. Japeth has a dream and holds on to that. He does not let anyone else
or any external situation dictate his direction in life. If anything, he
considers their ideas but he would still go for what he thinks is best for him.
With the 2009 saga with Coach Yeng, he was bashed and criticized a whole lot.
But he knows what he wants in life and team owners, coaches, fans do not own
him. He has a dream and it is his right to go for it.
- Because he wants to play against the best competition.
The reason why he was never “the man” for a team (yet) is he always takes
himself out of his comfort zone. Sure, he could have dominated UAAP and became
the Star Player for Ateneo but he wanted to play against more athletic and
bigger guys to push him-self even more. He could have stayed in the PBA and develop
further but he wanted to play against taller guys. Admittedly, this could have
cost him. Always moving away, he never got to experience what it feels like to
be “the man” and dominate a game. He never got into a situation where a team
would rely on him to make plays to make a team win consistently. He was always
a role player. And players who go into tough competition, when they are not yet
ready, could be costly, especially that players only have a very limited time playing
in their careers. Could Japeth have been a better player now if he stayed in
Ateneo, or with Coach Yeng, or now with Coach Norman Black? We can only speculate.
But it’s not yet too late for Japeth. He is not that old. I just hope someday,
he would be given the break to showcase that “Hybrid Forward” skills of his and
learn how to dominate.
- Because Japeth opened doors. Most of Japeth’s
critiques say he is not the best player in the Philippines, what makes him
think he could make it to the NBA? Well, maybe he is not the best player but he
got considerations from different teams in the NBA. He was drafted by a
D-League team and almost made it to the final roster. He may not be the best Filipino
player but he is the only one who actually tried and went that far. If he is
not the best Filipino player and he made it that far, what makes you think
other Filipino players who would try wouldn’t make it? Japeth opened doors and
I would not be surprised to see more Filipinos try their luck and eventually
make it in the future. Or you never know, Japeth could actually make it.
Sure, Japeth may have never been “the man” so far in any of
the teams he played for. But with the decisions he made in his life, always going
for what he wants and not fearing the consequences, he’s proven that he is a
man with balls.
