After 'nostalgic' retirement from Gilas, Japeth Aguilar vows Ginebra career continues

Japeth Aguilar returned to his college home on Monday and bid farewell to a team that has been his home for more than a decade. 

The 38-year-old high-flying big man announced his retirement from the national team just before the tip-off between Gilas Pilipinas and Guam in the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers at the Blue Eagle Gym in Ateneo, ending an illustrious run that saw him represent the Philippines in a number of international tournaments. 

READ MORE | Gilas Pilipinas repeats over Guam for 2-0 start in FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers

Everything in that moment was nostalgic for the 6-foot-9 Aguilar as it also sent him back to his collegiate days with Ateneo, where he suit up for two years in the UAAP. 

"Akala ko marami akong fitting [moments] na magre-retire na ako e but this one is mas sweet kasi very nostalgic sa akin," Aguilar told reporters following the game. 

"Very fitting, very thankful ako sa mga moments na nakasama ko ‘yung future Gilas. Sa mga young guys, thankful ako sa moments na nagkasama kami on and off the court."

(I thought there were a lot of fitting moments for me to retire, but this is sweeter because it's very nostalgic to me. Very fitting, I'm very thankful that I was able to play with the future Gilas. To the young guys, I'm thankful for the moments I was with them on and off the court.)

But while he's hanging up his national team uniform, Aguilar is confident in the teammates he will leave behind. 

With only June Mar Fajardo left as the only veteran big man in the team, the likes of Kai Sotto, AJ Edu, Quentin Millora-Brown, and Carl Tamayo are now tipped to provide youth in Gilas' frontcourt. 

And Aguilar knows this group of players have a lot of potential yet to be unlocked. 

"For me, feeling ko very fitting kasi nabubuo na ‘yung core nila. I feel like na si June Mar pwede pa siyang mag-stay para ma-lead niya ‘yung young guys," Aguilar added.

"Sobrang happy ako sa naging process, sobrang haba na ng time ko with the national team and then makikita ko na ‘yung maiiwan ko ganyang mga players, sobrang promising."

(For me, my feeling is it's very fitting because their core is now forming. I feel like June Mar can still stay and lead the young guys. I'm so happy with the how the process went, I had a long time with the national team and then I get tot see the players that remain, they're so promising.)

Aguilar, though, clarified that he's not yet retiring from the PBA and said he will still continue playing for Barangay Ginebra under Gilas head coach Tim Cone as well. 

—JMB, GMA Integrated News