Had it not been for the injury of Kai Sotto, Japeth Aguilar would have stopped playing for Gilas Pilipinas earlier than expected.
But the always ready, 6-foot-9 athletic big man, provided that extra big man presence one last time for the national squad in the first window of the Asian Qualifiers for the 2027 FIBA World Cup, but made it official on Monday that he’s played his final game for the Philippine quintet right before the Filipinos 95-71 win over Guam at the Blue Eagle Gym where the Pinoy quintet completed a two-game sweep of our Asia Oceania rival.
“I think if Japeth has a choice, he wouldn’t play anymore,” wrote TNT team manager Jojo Lastimosa. “It’s just because Kai isn’t there.”
Aguilar in fact, was plucked out of retirement as he had already announced that he was done from playing for the national team as early as two years ago, but injuries to some of Gilas mainstays forced Aguilar to lace up his sneakers anew and provide the much-needed inside presence for our national team.
This year, Gilas Pilipinas management was able to add former University of the Philippines standout Quentin Millora-Brown and welcome the return of AJ Edu.
Sotto, Gilas’ 7-foot-3 slotman, missed the first window of the Asian Qualifiers as he is still on his way to recovery from an ACL injury, but will be ready to suit up in the next window.
With Millora-Brown, Edu, the ever-reliable June Mar Fajardo and the returning Sotto on deck for the Philippine squad, Aguilar felt it’s the right time to give way to these younger big men.
“They give us size and flexibility in the (big men) positions,” added Jong Uichico, who has served in different capacities either as a player, assistant coach or head coach of the national team program.
Norman Black, who is set to coach the Philippine squad in the upcoming Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, believes that Aguilar remains to be serviceable even though he had already announced that he has played his final game for Gilas.
“Personally, I think you let Japeth play until he wants to walk away. He’s still productive and athletic,” added Black.
Aguilar has been a part of the national team program as early as 2008 when the original Smart-Gilas Pilipinas was created and he has served the country ever since.
