Japeth saves Kings anew at the buzzer

MANILA, Philippines -- Barangay Ginebra lit fireworks three nights ahead of New Year’s Eve as the Kings made an improbable comeback from five points down in the last 15 seconds and jolted the Meralco Bolts, 83-82, in the Petron Blaze-sponsored PBA Saturday Special at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

The PLDT MyDSL PBA Philippine Cup front-runners came through with the game-saving back-to-back three-pointers from unlikely sources JayR Reyes and Japeth Aguilar – the last one at the buzzer sending the predominantly Ginebra crowd to a great ecstasy.

Aguilar delivered the dagger trey off Reynel Hugnatan, providing a surreal climax to another night of dunking spree for the ultra-athletic 6-foot-9 forward.

Rising up from death bed, the Kings firmed up their hold of the lead with a sixth straight win and ninth in 10 games in all.

The Kings faced imminent loss against the very team that dealt them their lone defeat in the tourney as they stared at a five-point deficit, 77-82, with 15.1 ticks left.

Ginebra refused to lose, though, and as Reyes and Aguilar connected with the surprise three-point bombs, the Kings sent the Bolts reeling to a seventh loss against three wins.

“We’re just really lucky,” said Ginebra coach Ato Agustin.

True enough, the Kings pulled through just with the help of huge breaks at the finish.

For one, the Bolts bungled no less than five charities in the last 90 seconds of play.

Former Ginebra player John Wilson muffed three in the last 15 seconds, the last one enabling Ginebra to get final possession.

Actually, LA Tenorio nearly fumbled the ball before handing it out to Aguilar atop the key with three seconds to go.

With one dribble and side step, Aguilar gained some breathing room off Hugnatan, then launched the three-pointer that hit the target.

A little earlier, Reyes bombed away his own triple coming off the bench.

The Gins Kings totaled nine three-pointers in the game as against the Bolts’ three.

Even then, the Bolts dragged the heavily favored Kings to a battle and nearly repeated an upset with their good game plan.

“Meralco deserves credit they played great especially on defense. They were able to control our bigs, and they really made it difficult for us with their quickness,” Agustin also said.

The Bolts ran the breaks at every opportunity. Without an opening, they used the clock to find the best attempt possible.

In the end, they’re able to battle the Kings through 10 dead locks and 18 lead changes.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

PBA approves Japeth's transfer to Ginebra

MANILA, Philippines -- The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) has approved several player trades on Tuesday, including Japeth Aguilar’s transfer to Barangay Ginebra.


In an announcement, the league agreed to the five-player player trade that shipped the 6-foot-9 Aguilar to the Gin Kings. 

The player swap also involved four draft picks.

The trade saw GlobalPort releasing Aguilar to Ginebra in exchange for Yousif Taha and a 2014 first-round pick.

GlobalPort is also acquiring Petron’s Jay Washington for Jason Deutchman from Barangay Ginebra. The Batang Pier will be shipping Elmer Espiritu to Barako Bull for a draft pick.

GlobalPort acquired Aguilar from Talk ‘N Text last January following the player’s failed bid to join the NBA.

The Batang Pier, however, was forced to release the 26-year-old power forward when it was offered Taha, Washington and a draft pick.

Ginebra has long been pursuing Aguilar to add a tall player into its relatively shorter lineup.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Japeth Aguilar waived by Santa Cruz Warriors

MANILA, Philippines -- Former PBA top draft pick Japeth Aguilar has been waived by the Santa Cruz Warriors of the NBA Developmental League.

Aguilar was included in a list of players who have been waived by their team and will be placed on waivers on November 23.

The Warriors picked Aguilar in the seventh round of the D-League draft.

Aguilar made it to the Warriors' training camp roster and played in limited minutes in their pre-season games, but ultimately did not make it to their final roster for the season.

Aguilar played college ball for the Ateneo de Manila Blue Eagles and the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. The Talk N Text Tropang Texters made him the No. 1 pic in the 2009 PBA Rookie Draft.

source: abs-cbnnews.com

Japeth gears up for final NBA D-League try-out

LOS ANGELES, California -- With the National Basketball Association (NBA) Development League draft only a few weeks away, Pinoy basketball player Japeth Aguilar hopes to make a "lasting impression" in his final try-out this Saturday.

On October 20, the 6-foot-9 Aguilar will attend the Iowa Energy's open try-out in Chicago, Illinois. The Energy is the D-League affiliate of the Chicago Bulls, Denver Nuggets, New Orleans Hornets and Washington Wizards.

Chris McGarry, Aguilar's agent, said the 25-year-old Filipino forward is ready to give his best performance, citing that the player is very good at showing off his skills.

"Japeth is really excited for this tryout. With all of the opportunities he's been given in the past two months, he's ready to make a lasting impression," said McGarry.

The 2009 PBA No. 1 pick has been on a whirlwind journey trying to make it into the NBA since arriving in the US last September.

Aguilar’s PBA contract with Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters has already expired and this allowed him to pursue his NBA dreams.

He has worked out with several NBA and NBA D-League teams including the San Antonio Spurs, Hornets, Bakersfield Jam, Santa Cruz Warriors, Los Angeles D-Fenders, among many others.

"'We're very confident that he has done his best," said McGarry. "He's a totally different player than when he came here. He's adjusted to the speed, strength, his approach and the way the game is played here in the US."

The former Ateneo Blue Eagle and Western Kentucky Hilltopper Aguilar is expected to be chosen by a team in the second or third round of the D-League draft on November 6.

Some D-League teams have already openly expressed their desire to draft the Filipino forward early, according to reports.

McGarry said Aguilar doesn't care where he goes as long as he continues to develop and help the team win.

Wherever Aguilar gets drafted, he'll have a legion - perhaps a nation of hardcore basketball fans following his every move.

No Philippine-born player has ever been drafted by an NBA D-League team.

"This could be history in the making," said McGarry. "Filipinos are the highest followers of the NBA on Twitter, Facebook and other social networking sites so there's already a lot of excitement [in the Philippines]."

"We are all very excited. Japeth and his whole family will track the draft and hopefully, he'll get drafted," McGarry added.

In three seasons playing in the Philippines, Aguilar split his time with Smart Gilas Pilipinas and PBA's Talk N' Text.

Another Pinoy prospect

Aguilar will be one of only two players of Filipino descent to participate in the open try-out, according to McGarry.

McGarry said he recently signed Fil-Am prospect, Avery Scharer, a 6-foot-2, 185-pound point guard from Shoreline Community College in Seattle.

Scharer ranked No. 3 in assists in the whole nation last year, according to McGarry.

"This guy can score, pass and is a triple double threat every game," he said.

Scharer is half African-American and Filipino. His mother is from Bauang, La Union.

McGarry said Scharer spoke to Philippine national coach Chot Reyes, who has expressed his desire to see him play in person and perhaps join the national team.

article source: abs-cbnnews.com