Japeth Aguilar Barangay Ginebra striker challenges Meralco center guard Raymond Almazan in game 6 of the PBA Managers’ Cup final at the Mall of Asia Arena. PBA . IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines — Japeth Aguilar has been an integral cog in the Barangay Ginebra championship machine in the Philippine Basketball Association. And as the Gin Kings aim to win the Philippine Cup again, the leaping player has made his priority all-out as the campaign begins.
“I really need to take care of my body, because you know, last conference, this happened too – I got injured,” he told reporters after the 103- 92 of Ginebra before Meralco. club as Governor’s Cup champions.
Aguilar has had seven PBA titles, six of which were with crowd favorites. So naturally, he wants to ensure his readiness as the club shoots to claim more crowns.
His old and large frame didn’t work properly at the end of the year. At the age of 35, Aguilar suffered a back injury.
He sprained his knee during the Philippine Cup just like when Ginebra was trying to survive the double-beat TNT in the quarterfinals.
He then missed a large portion of the semifinals and the Champions Cup series after injuring his calf in the quarter-final opening match against NLEX.
Sure, Ginebra still proved formidable thanks to the tireless play of Justin Brownlee and Scottie Thompson. But the Gin Kings are definitely an even ferocious group with leaps forward.
Ginebra won the last three games of the final against Meralco. Aguilar played in all of those games.
“I had a chance to look closely at Meralco while on the bench. For me, I just wanted to give a different side to the game. My teammates have been goalscorers, and they have quite a few players in their positions. So my thought, even though I’m not at one hundred percent, is to keep setting up the monitor and leave my teammates open. I think it all paid off,” he said.
His playstyle could be encouraging signs that he is well on his way back to his deadly form. But Aguilar didn’t take any chances. He is looking to make the most of the season.
“I really need to work hard and focus on getting my body healthy,” Aguilar said. “I won’t be young anymore.”
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