Change of scenery may be good for Aguilar

MANILA -- What Japeth Aguilar needs at this point of his career is an ideal coach who would be able to maximize the potentials of the high-flying former number one rookie pick.

This was what Japeth’s father and former PBA player Peter Aguilar told Solar Sports Desk in a telephone interview from his Chicago home.

According to Aguilar, he once asked his son why he kept on taking outside shots instead of going strong inside considering that at 6-foot-9, he stands way taller than most PBA players.

“Hindi kasi magandang tignan kasi nga matangkad siya. Sabi niya naman sa akin, wala daw kasing play na ganun para sa kaniya,” said Aguilar.

Recently, the young Aguilar was released by Global Port Batang Pier for Ginebra’s Yousif Taha and a first round pick in a four-team blockbuster deal that also involved Petron and Barako Bull.

The same deal saw Petron’s Jay Washington being sent to Global Port for two draft picks.

Aguilar, who for the last 12 years has been working in a Chicago factory that produces car lubricants, insists that Japeth is the type of player who would do anything whatever his coach asks him to do.

“Hindi naman sa anak ko siya pero si Japeth, kung ano lang ang sabihin mo dyan, kung hindi titira sa labas, dumepensa ka lang, kaya niyang sundin yun,” said Aguilar.

Since 2009, Aguilar has played under two champion coaches in Yeng Guiao and Chot Reyes then for rookie coach Glen Capacio and Junel Baculi via Global Port the last two conferences. Aguilar’s stint with Guiao lasted only one game after Burger King traded him to Talk ‘N Text for future picks.

Ginebra’s Alfrancis Chua will be Aguilar’s fifth PBA coach in four years.

“Hindi ako pamilyar sa style ni coach Alfrancis pero napapanood ko mga diskarte niya. Nasa coach kasi yan. Pag sinabing wag ka titira sa labas, yung ang dapat sundan niya ano man yung play para sa kaniya,” said Aguilar.

Aguilar however maintains he does not meddle in Japeth’s decision be it basketball or his personal life.

“Kung ano lang ang gusto niya sumusunod lang kami kasi career niya yan eh. Wala naman kami magawa kasi kung gusto namin pero ayaw niya, baka magsisihan pa kami bandang huli,” said Aguilar.