JAPETH Aguilar is having a PBA career reboot.
The 36-year-old big man assumed a bigger role and responsibility at Barangay Ginebra coming into Season 49 as he now becomes the primary option of the Kings in the frontcourt following the trade of former partner Christian Standhardinger to Terrafirma.
And so far, so good, Aguilar is living up to expectations.
The 6-foot-9 center made a case out of it Friday night when he steered Ginebra past Phoenix, 110-101, to post its first back-to-back wins in the season-opener Governors' Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Aguilar finished a point-shy of his career-best by posting 31 points on 11-of-13 shooting in the Kings' third win in five outings to end their first round campaign in the group stage.
Sponsored content: The output was the most for the former Gilas Pilipinas team captain since dropping 32 points in the title-clinching Game 5 of the Philippine Cup bubble in Clark, Pampanga four years ago.
Aguilar had to accelerate on the gas on both ends of the floor since he's the only remaining inside threat for the Kings following the departure of the 6-foot-8 Standhardinger.
Naturally, coach Tim Cone is very happy with the effort especially late in the career of the former no. 1 overall pick.
"It's a big adjustment for him because the minutes are going up, the touches are going up, the expectations for him defensively are also going up," stressed Cone.
"It's a big adjustment for him, and he's done a really good job doing it so far."
Sponsored content: Aguilar obviously, has now inherited the mantle of being the force in the middle from Standhardinger, and much earlier Greg Slaughter.
"He had Greg with him when I first came to the team," said Cone. "Greg Slaughter was with him. Then Christian came. He was always like the Robin to the Batman.
"Now, he's finally getting the opportunity to be the Batman."
Aguilar will definitely have his hands full in Ginebra's next game against Blackwater on Tuesday.
The Bossing are currently on a three-game winning run for a 3-3 record and have a trio of frontcourt rotation involving Troy Rosario, Justine Chua, and sophomore Christian David.(RG)
