The Japeth Aguilar Saga

[durden_tyler2]

even if they were the best of friends (Japeth even congratulated Chot when they won the Jones Cup), as a filipino, I would advise Japeth to go for the NBA workout rather than join the Gilas 2 for the FIBA competition......as a filipino, I put more weight in seeing a first filipino to workout and possibly the first full blood filipino in a NBA team than even winning the recently concluded FIBA Asia cup.

No problem with it per se (chasing dreams etc). Just make sure there's no double standard.

 

[swish#202]

Hence, superstars... this is what separated these talents from the "generic", garden variety, big men in the league, to a degree and not necessarily in parallel with, the skill-level to which Mr. Aguilar is aspiring for.

However, for every one of the names with the level of talent you supplied above, there will be more than just a few bigs that have done their rounds and paid their dues in order to keep a spot in the rotation for each of their NBA teams.

To some... they've toiled for years under the radar, outside the league, before hooking on to one... Dale Davis, Tyson Chandler, Serge Ibaka, Luc Longley, Antonio Davis, Arvidas Sabonis... even Marc Gasol just to name a few.

This is what KevinDurant, one of us here, was trying to enlighten us with... is that the old NBA coaches' adage that by default, big men develop late.
It is no wives tale; science is behind this keen observation.

If you will, please allow me a canine analogy. ..

Check your dogs... a year old (7 in dog years) poodle will display plenty more dexterity than a Great Dane of the same age.

No pun intended, this is what we pray is the case for our very own, Japhet Aguilar, may he make it and do us all proud!

I must say these bigs are role players, Antonio/Dale Davis are among the best offensive rebounders, Chandler does the dirty work, Ibaka an elite shotblocker with Longley, Sabonis, Gasol the more versatile ones... Japeth's skills are somewhat like Ibaka, limited post moves, shotblocker, midrange jumper, still branded as a potential break-out player but doesn't seem to progress his skills outside of his specialty. So based on this, i'd say Japeth is a poor man's version of Ibaka and i hope thats what the NBA/NBDL teams will see. Haha he's got a chance however little it may seem.

 

[durden_tyler2]

This has been the most active thread in IBN in days now even dislodging the so called "long term" national pool despite all the news that seems to glow in the dark..

This how Philippine Basketball Community cares about you Japeth we do not see a Jordan Sanvictores thread even so as Gian Chiu..in that sense you get us our attention, maybe our respect of what you have done and what you can do..

Hype = Hot Topic = High Expectations

 

[reamily2]

Hype = Hot Topic = High Expectations

like it or not Japeth he needs to accept these facts of life

 

[Jay P. Mercado2]

The risk of Japeth or his camp hearing all this criticism is the least of his or our worries , enough has already been said in multiple blogs in cyberspace. Nothing we say here will add anything to it. This is really not what disappoints or worries me, what is concerning and embarrassing is that people all over the world who see and read this. Remember we are talking about someone of our own who is accomplishing things never achieved (past tense) and is at crest of making even more historical breakthroughs for our kind and yet we pick this moment out of all moments to talk about his disappointing past.
Isn’t that really a behaviour that is really to be ashamed of. This is like if an Olympic Boxer from a country who has never won a Gold , makes the Olympic finals , but has a shady pass of bad transgressions and poor behaviour. And instead of the whole nation coming in to support him at this very moment, the whole of local cyberspace decides to focus on his past instead and spread doubt that he can’t win . Isn’t that embarrassing behaviour?

We all talk of promising to give Japeth credit when he accomplished things (e.g. make the NBA or NBDL) , but the thing is he has already accomplished things no full blooded Filipino has , how about giving him credit for that ? I haven’t heard one word of credit for what he has already done. Dude if we have never had a single Filipino to make the American idol finals and someone like Jessica Sanchez makes it shouldn’t we give credit already even if she doesn’t win it all. Or let’s even bring if further say no pinoy has even made it to “Hollywood audition stage of idol” shouldn’t we then give credit. The guy (japeth ) has already made the highest stage , (NBA workouts , D-league final 20 pool) that any full pinoy , homegrown has ever achieved yet still no credit.

Again, the analogy is wrong. You talk about a boxer's indiscretions OUTSIDE the ring which is totally irrelevant to the argument. I don't care about Mike Tyson's repeated offenses, including near-capital ones like rape and battery. It shouldn't and wouldn't affect how he is perceived as a boxer. Ditto with Pacquiao and his own past indiscretions. As a matter of fact, the opposite happened - Pac is actually getting away with his misdeeds because he has achieved a lot.

We're looking at Japeth's ability to deliver based on his past performance as a basketeer. And there's no better way of finding out how well he'll do by looking at his track record, not merely his potential. The potential is there already - which is why he's hyped severely by you guys here. Having his own thread is sufficient alone that credit is being given to him. Talking about him now speaks of how he's regarded in basketball circles. Even James Yap and Mark Caguioa never got this kind of discussion before. Why? Simply because WE ALL acknowledge of Aguilar's possible accomplishments.

The problem here are two things: one side looks at things with rose-tinted glasses...the other side looks at it at plain eyesight. The other is that folks here misconstrue rational criticism on Aguilar as putting a player down. DT and a few of us here have given our due props on Aguilar, and we recognize him as the most athletic homegrown Filipino we've seen so far. We acknowledge his having been invited by an NBA team to work out with them. What else would you want us to say? That he's God's gift to the country? That he definitely will crack the Spurs lineup? That he'll replace TD as the Spurs' franchise player?

Since we're all passionate about the national team, I'd like to reiterate what DT cited - where is Aguilar now when he's supposed to be needed by the country for the national team? Remember, Aguilar SPURNED Chot. At least, with the other SMC guys, we can argue that their hands are tied as management seems unwilling to lend them. Some of you argued that we shouldn't take it against Aguilar for pursuing his dream. Well and good but if James Yap tells everyone he's not suiting up for the national team so that he can marry the girl of his dreams, shouldn't the same latitude be given to him? It's no different from Aguilar - they're both pursuing their respective dreams.

 

[swish#202]

The problem here are two things: one side looks at things with rose-tinted glasses...the other side looks at it at plain eyesight. The other is that folks here misconstrue rational criticism on Aguilar as putting a player down. DT and a few of us here have given our due props on Aguilar, and we recognize him as the most athletic homegrown Filipino we've seen so far. We acknowledge his having been invited by an NBA team to work out with them. What else would you want us to say? That he's God's gift to the country? That he definitely will crack the Spurs lineup? That he'll replace TD as the Spurs' franchise player?

I think there's a thin line separating both sides coz Japeth's every moves has been magnified already. when you choose a side, you can't go to the other side anymore to be branded as a flip-flop or you just keep silent. As for me, i think i'm overdosed with bball at the moment so ima lurk for a bit and enjoy the discussions.

 

[Jay P. Mercado2]

I wonder how it would have turned out if Pacquiao, at the time when boxing managers were deciding if they would give him his first big break to fight Ledwaba for the Bantamweight world title, were suddenly criticised publicly by a lot filipino people citing that he was easily knocked down by a nobody in just three rounds...and then he lost easily 2 more fights from nobodys again.....I wonder if these boxing managers would have given Pacquiao the chance to fight Ledwaba (as Pacquiao was a last minute alternate only)....its a good thing that Pacquiao, at that time was unknown to many filipinos and that saved him from a lot of filipino crabs.

Apples and oranges, Bonifacio.

I followed Pac when he was still fighting in 1996-97 when Vintage was hyping him. He was already proving his worth back then for a young flyweight, and he was a crowd-pleaser (like Japeth), capable of KO'ing anyone in sight. Then he lost to Torrecampo and he fell with a loud thud. He regained his bearings and won the 112-lb WBC title in Thailand against a Thai champ. Back then, it was hugely inconceivable to win a world championship in Thailand soil except if you KO the opponent. Pac did just that. He lost his title, went up in weight and beat Lehlo Ledwaba and the rest is history.

The difference is simple - Pac has already proven his worth and was able to prove moreso by rebounding from his loss to Torrecampo by winning the world title. Aguilar has been given several chances himself but has yet to prove himself - other than the proverbial potential. We haven't stopped giving him the chance - but we're more realists now. Like you guys, I followed Aguilar's career since I also followed his dad's career with NCC back in the early to mid 80's. And like everyone else here, I looked forward to the day when Aguilar would finally realize his full worth. He has yet to do so, after 7 or 8 years of waiting. Have I given up on him? No. Do I still regard him the same way as before? Not exactly. Do I see him as a future NBA player? I'm praying that he does but I don't think so - and I hope he proves me wrong.

That's where the difference is. Aguilar cannot be compared to Pac simply because he'd fall short...once more!

 

[Bonifacio2]

Excited for Japeth's fourth coach. We'll have to wait and see what happens there.

Hope not back in the Philippines....as we know what's going to happen if he goes back to PBA XXX

 

[Bonifacio2]

No problem with it per se (chasing dreams etc). Just make sure there's no double standard.

I would love any full blood pinoy to be invited by any NBA team for any workour...and I would support them fully......unfortunately, only one pinoy got an invitation and that makes it more unique and special

 

[ichikiller2]

whatever you geniuses were saying it is still a very great achievement EVER in Philippine basketball history by an individual player to have an invitation for a work-out in any of NBA or D-L, and even got an invitation from other countries, why they didn't invite JYap? or Taulava? or JAlapag or other notable PBA Players instead?

hopefully our upcoming bigmen should set Jap as a great example that FIlipinos by pure or by half can be tall and fast and stop the mindset of being tall dark and slow-mo

 

[durden_tyler2]

whatever you geniuses were saying it is still a very great achievement EVER in Philippine basketball history by an individual player to have an invitation for a work-out in any of NBA or D-L, and even got an invitation from other countries, why they didn't invite JYap? or Taulava? or JAlapag or other notable PBA Players instead?

hopefully our upcoming bigmen should set Jap as a great example that FIlipinos by pure or by half can be tall and fast and stop the mindset of being tall dark and slow-mo

True. Same way that Japeth should learn about toughness and guts from the midgets in the PBA.

 

[Bonifacio2]

Apples and oranges, Bonifacio.

That's where the difference is. Aguilar cannot be compared to Pac simply because he'd fall short...once more!

Fall short from what??? falling short for being the first full blood pinoy to get invited for a workout with 1 NBA team.....falling short for being the first full blood pinoy to get invited for a workout with 2 NBA teams....falling short for being the first full blood pinoy to get invited for a workout with 3 NBA teams

Or in the future....falling short for being the first full blood pinoy to play for an NBDL team.......maybe falling short to be the first full blood pinoy to get signed up by an NBA team.....maybe falling short to be the first full blood pinoy to get a playing minute with an NBA team......or maybe falling short to be the first full blood pinoy to become the 6th man in an NBA team....or maybe falling short for being the first full blod pinoy to be in the starting five of an NBA team.....or falling short of the first full blood pinoy to be in the NBA's top 5.....or falling short of the first full blood pinoy to become NBA' MVP.

 

[durden_tyler2]

Hope not back in the Philippines....as we know what's going to happen if he goes back to PBA XXX

Well then it looks like you have given up on Japeth already if and when he has a future in the Philippines. Sad, i expect him to at least be a star or Option B if he comes back here.

 

[durden_tyler2]

Fall short from what??? falling short for being the first full blood pinoy to get invited for a workout with 1 NBA team.....falling short for being the first full blood pinoy to get invited for a workout with 2 NBA teams....falling short for being the first full blood pinoy to get invited for a workout with 3 NBA teams

Or in the future....falling short for being the first full blood pinoy to play for an NBDL team.......maybe falling short to be the first full blood pinoy to get signed up by an NBA team.....maybe falling short to be the first full blood pinoy to get a playing minute with an NBA team......or maybe falling short to be the first full blood pinoy to become the 6th man in an NBA team....or maybe falling short for being the first full blod pinoy to be in the starting five of an NBA team.....or falling short of the first full blood pinoy to be in the NBA's top 5.....or falling short of the first full blood pinoy to become NBA' MVP.

What we know for now: he fell wayyy short in becoming a PBA superstar (the expectations of him), people have admitted that much.

The future, we'll have to wait and see

 

[Bonifacio2]

Since we're all passionate about the national team, I'd like to reiterate what DT cited - where is Aguilar now when he's supposed to be needed by the country for the national team? Remember, Aguilar SPURNED Chot. At least, with the other SMC guys, we can argue that their hands are tied as management seems unwilling to lend them. Some of you argued that we shouldn't take it against Aguilar for pursuing his dream. Well and good but if James Yap tells everyone he's not suiting up for the national team so that he can marry the girl of his dreams, shouldn't the same latitude be given to him? It's no different from Aguilar - they're both pursuing their respective dreams.

Very different analogy.....Aguilar is fighting to become the first filipino player to be in the NBA or NBADL......that gives pride and inspiration to many filipino as it would showcase a filipino basketball player to the top basketball stage..,,,that is not just the dream of Japeth but the dream of many filipinos....................if James Yap marry his girlfriend, i doubt whether as a filipino, you also share that same dream.......so nothing patriotic about James Yap marrying his girlfriend....while tring out to be the first filipino to be in the NBA is very patriotic ...........i.e. when Yao Ming entered the NBA, a lot of chinese felt proud which was good for China and asia as well

 

[ichikiller2]

True. Same way that Japeth should learn about toughness and guts from the midgets in the PBA.

okey goes like this
TALL+ATHLETIC+TOUGH+IQ

that means TALL AS JAPETH but plays like a PAUL LEE

woooooooooooow

 

[startupsold2]

PBA door slowly closing on Japeth
September 28, 2012
JAPETH Aguilar must do more than good in his shot at an NBA stint, for the PBA is slowly closing its doors at him.

Some members of the PBA Board who Malaya-Business Insight talked to claimed they are having second thoughts about enlisting the services of Aguilar over reports of the 6-foot-9 forward-center’s alleged adamant stance regarding contract negotiations with mother team Talk N Text and other interested parties.

“Siya daw ang nagpipilit kung ano ang gusto niyang terms at hindi matinag,” said one board representative who requested anonymity.

“Kung tutoo iyon, then that speaks volumes about him dahil hindi naman uubra iyon. Dapat merong give and take in any negotiation,” he added.

Tropang Texters team manager Aboy Castro did not answer messages, but another governor said Aguilar turned down a new three-year contract offer.

“Ang gusto daw ni Japeth sign-and-trade,” related the governor. “It’s not about the money na raw para kay Japeth. Ang gusto niya siya ang mamimili ng team na lalaruan niya.”

“That shows ang isang klase ng attitude na hindi uubra dito sa PBA,” another governor chimed in.

The Texters are set to be handled by Norman Black, who also coached Aguilar at Ateneo. Black is projected to implement the same system instilled by his predecessor, Chot Reyes, and that, said the governors, could be one reason Aguilar has balked at the TNT offer.

“Fed up na raw sa (TNT) system si Japeth kaya inihahanap siya ng ibang teams. Pero with that attitude, sino ang kukuha sa kanya?” said one source.

In 52 games last season, Aguilar averaged 6.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 15.4 minutes of action.

It has been reported Aguilar is being traded to newcomer GlobalPort for fellow ex-Blue Eagle Rabeh Al-Hussaini, but Batang Pier basketball operations chief Erick Arejola denied it.

“Okay kami kay Rabeh,” said Arejola. “Ang tawag nga niya kay coach Glen (Capacio) ‘Tatay.’”

Aguilar is currently trying his luck in different NBA camps.

It is not the first time Aguilar has been embroiled in controversy.

After being made the top pick overall by Air21/Burger King in the 2009 draft, Aguilar suddenly decided to sit it out and play with the national team instead. He played one game before Whoppers management traded him to TNT, which then promptly loaned him to the original Smart-Gilas crew.

Even without Aguilar, defending champion TNT is still favored in the season-opening Philippine Cup that kicks off this Sunday.

The Texters launch their bid against sister team Meralco next Friday.
Source: http://www.malaya.com.ph/index.php/sports/14091-pba-door-slowly-closing-on-japeth

 

[Bonifacio2]

What we know for now: he fell wayyy short in becoming a PBA superstar (the expectations of him), people have admitted that much.

The future, we'll have to wait and see

Unless becoming a PBA superstar is not your dream.... then who cares...but if being an NBA player is your dream....that makes the difference

 

[Bonifacio2]

PBA door slowly closing on Japeth
September 28, 2012
JAPETH Aguilar must do more than good in his shot at an NBA stint, for the PBA is slowly closing its doors at him.

As I said, Japeth and the PBA do not match......better for Japeth to play where the big boys are.

 

[analyzed2]

Perhaps we can understand the concern of being accused as “crabs” if we accept the fact that in Japeth he represents the Filipino player and is not just any player competing to be included for just any team. There is an written rule that when one of your own is competing for the country represented by Japeth competing for the all illusive NBA of D-league spot” a cease fire on criticism should be applied. Especially when we’re talking about the players past (work ethics, having balls etc), This is not the time and day to have the discussion. Having those discussions out of all times when our very own “national” athlete is in the middle of his battle puts a bad taste in the mouth and is really a poor reflection of who we are as Filipinos. Let’s have all our analysis , criticisms after when the battle is over not now ! I hope that is not too difficult to understand and accept.