Aguilar continues chase for NBA dream – report

Rappler.com

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Former PBA top overall pick Japeth Aguilar takes a crack at his NBA dream for the 2nd time

Japeth Aguilar throws down a two-handed jam during the 2011 FIBA Asia Champions Cup. Photo from the Smart Gilas Facebook page

MANILA, Philippines –  Japeth Aguilar is giving the NBA one more try. 

The 6’9″ forward is trying his luck once more in the world’s largest basketball league hoping to be the first Philippine-born player to play in the NBA. 

In a report by asianjournal.com, the 25-year-old Aguilar says “it’s now or never”. He adds, “I just want to look at it and hope for the best.”

He believes it’s perfect timing that his contract with PBA team Talk ‘N Text expired. If he doesn’t make it to NBA after this try, he will still be young enough to compete in Asia’s first play-for-pay league.

Aguilar tried out for D-League team Bakersfiled Jam – an affiliate of NBA teams Atlanta Hawks, Los Angeles Clippers, Phoenix Suns and Toronto Raptors. 

Jam coaches laud the forward’s athleticism and his natural shot blocking ability but says he’ll likely play the small forward spot in the States, not the power forward or center positions that he usually plays in the Philippines.  They also say Aguilar needs to toughen up, be more assertive and improve his outside shooting. 

Slamonline.com also reported that Aguilar, who first tried out for the NBA D-League in 2009 after graduating from Western Kentucky University, will also work out with the San Antonio Spurs. 

Prior to flying to the U.S., Aguilar was invited to work out with the Smart Gilas-Pilipinas 2.0 coached by his Talk ‘N Text mentor Chot Reyes. Aguilar begged off. 

Gilas 2.0 went on to win gold in the 34th William Jones Cup and will compete in the 2012 FIBA Asia Cup from Sept 14 to 22 to be held at Tokyo, Japan. – Rappler.com

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