Japeth Aguilar gives NBA another shot

6’9 Japeth Aguilar, a former player of PBA’s Talk ‘N Text team, is giving the NBA another try. He hopes to be the first Philippine-born player to make it to the league. “It’s now or never,” Aguilar said. “I just want to look at it and hope for the best.” If he doesn’t make it to the NBA, he can still compete in the PBA. Aguilar earlier tried out for D-League team Bakersfield Jam, an affiliate of NBA teams Atlanta Hawks, Los Angeles Clippers, Phoenix Suns, and Toronto Raptors. Coaches recognize Aguilar’s natural shot blocking abilities but add that he needs to toughen up, be more assertive and be a better outside shooter. Before leaving for the US, he was invited to work out with the Smart Gilas-Pilipinas 2.0 team coached by his mentor Chot Reyes. He declined but Gilas went on to win the gold the the 34^th William Jones Cup.

Read the full story on Rappler.