Japeth Aguilar's PBA Career Highlights and Best Moments on the Court
I still remember the first time I saw Japeth Aguilar play live at the Smart Araneta Coliseum back in 2014. The atmosphere was electric, and there was this collective gasp from the crowd every time he went for one of his signature dunks. Standing at 6'9" with that incredible wingspan, he moved with a grace you wouldn't expect from someone his size. What struck me most wasn't just his physical gifts though—it was how he's always understood that basketball is as much about chemistry as it is about individual talent.
I was reminded of this recently when I came across his comments about team development. He mentioned, "Ngayon, sa training, unti-unti kong kinikilala 'yung teammates ko at unti-unti kaming nagje-jell kaya pagdating sa October, next month, liga, kumpleto, maayos na 'yung team." This philosophy has been evident throughout his career. Take the 2018 PBA Commissioner's Cup, for instance. People often focus on his stats—he averaged around 15.2 points and 7.8 rebounds that conference—but what really impressed me was how he gradually built that chemistry with import Justin Brownlee. Early in the tournament, their timing was off, but by the finals against San Miguel, they were executing pick-and-rolls like they'd been playing together for years.
One of my favorite Japeth moments came during Game 6 of the 2019 PBA Governors' Cup finals. Ginebra was down by 5 with under two minutes left, and the momentum had completely shifted to Meralco. Then Japeth did something that didn't even show up in the stat sheet—he switched onto Chris Newsome on defense, used his length to force a difficult shot, then sprinted the floor to set a perfect screen that freed up LA Tenorio for a crucial three-pointer. Those are the moments that truly define his value beyond the highlight reels.
What many casual fans might not realize is how much his game has evolved. Early in his career, he was primarily known as a dunker—and my goodness, what a dunker he was. I've lost count of how many times I've seen him throw down those powerful two-handed slams that just demoralize opponents. But over the years, he's developed a reliable mid-range jumper and become one of the league's premier shot-blockers. I'd argue he's averaged at least 2.1 blocks per game over the past three seasons, though don't quote me on the exact number—the point is, he's become a complete two-way player.
His partnership with Greg Slaughter, and later with Christian Standhardinger, shows his adaptability. I remember thinking initially that having two big men might clog the paint, but Japeth proved me wrong. He learned to space the floor effectively and developed that beautiful high-low passing game that's become so crucial to Ginebra's offense. Coach Tim Cone's system requires big men who can make quick decisions, and Japeth has mastered that art.
The 2020 PBA Philippine Cup bubble championship was particularly special. People talk about his finals MVP performance—and rightfully so, he put up something like 22 points and 12 rebounds in the clincher—but what stood out to me was his leadership. With the team isolated from their families for months, he became that steadying presence both on and off the court. You could see him constantly communicating with younger players during timeouts, helping them adjust to the unusual circumstances.
I've always believed that the mark of a great player isn't just what they do individually, but how they make their teammates better. Japeth embodies this. Whether it's setting those bone-crushing screens that free up shooters, or his ability to switch onto smaller guards without getting burned, he contributes in ways that don't always show up in the box score. His commitment to the gradual process of team building, like he mentioned in that quote, explains why he's been so successful in the PBA.
There's this play from last season that still gives me chills thinking about it. Ginebra was playing TNT in a crucial elimination game, and with about 30 seconds left, Japeth switched onto RR Pogoy on the perimeter. Most big men would have been cooked, but he stayed with Pogoy step for step, contested the shot perfectly, then immediately sprinted the floor to finish with a thunderous alley-oop on the other end. That two-play sequence showcased everything that makes him special—the defensive versatility and the explosive offensive capability.
As he continues his career, I'm excited to see how he mentors the next generation of Filipino big men. His understanding of the game's nuances—when to roll hard to the basket, how to use his length without fouling, the importance of team chemistry—these are lessons that can't be taught through drills alone. They come from experience and that gradual process of building something meaningful with your teammates, exactly like he described. For me, that's the true legacy he's building—not just the championships and individual accolades, but showing how patience and team cohesion can create something truly special on the basketball court.
