Japeth Aguilar: From heel to hero...

     When Japeth Aguilar first barged into the scene, I have to be honest here. "I don't like him!". Not because he doesn't play for my favorite PBA ballclub, but because I thought how can someone with that kind of natural talent struggled to play against guys a lot smaller and not even half as athletic as he is. Maybe this is also the reason why many are indifferent with him.

     When he left La Salle to play for NCAA Division 1 in America, people questioned his loyalty. When he refused to play for Burger Whopper in the PBA after being drafted No. 1 overall, and instead suited for Gilas Team, many considered him as arrogant. And then when he tried out for NBA D League, after disappointing stints with Talk N Text and Globalport in the PBA, a lot of people called him as "Ambisyoso". "How can you make it to the NBA when you can't even dominate the PBA?

     But the truth is we have never seen a talent like Japeth Aguilar in the history of Philippine basketball. A 6'9" guy who can jump like a kangaroo and runs the floor as quick as any guards out there. Not to mention his athleticism, the guy is really one of a kind. And the most important thing is he is 100 % pure Filipino. Not just any pretending wannabees out there.

     Japeth Aguilar is nothing but a revelation so far in the on-going PBA PLDT MyDSL Philippine Cup. How timely it is for him to realize his potential on the country's most popular ballclub. Happy days are here again for Brgy. Ginebra and most especially for the PBA.

     It is  a long journey for Japeth. From being a heel, to probably one of the most popular figures in the PBA today and possibly for years to come.