ALLAN THE MAN

High-leaping forward Japeth Aguilar is beginning to win the hearts of Barangay Ginebra fans with his strong play so far in the PBA Philippine Cup, and point guard LA Tenorio said the big man should now work on being more consistent and mature.

Aguilar was the star in the Gin Kings’ 97-95 victory over Talk 'N Text last week, hitting the go-ahead triple and then blocking Ranidel De Ocampo as time expired to preserve the win.

Ginebra coach Ato Agustin revealed after the game that their last play was specifically designed for Aguilar, but that the three-pointer was unexpected.

“Last play namin is pick-and-roll, at para talaga kay Japeth ‘yun. I told them na dapat hard sila sa basket. Eh swerte lang, tinira ni Japeth sa three-points. Buti pumasok,” Agustin told 

But Tenorio was not surprised to see Aguilar drain the triple, noting that the forward has been working on his range in practice.

“Before and after practice, he takes a lot of shots. He practices them with Dylan (Ababou),” said Tenorio.

The key now for Aguilar is to develop his consistency and maturity in order to fully realize his potential, said the point guard.

“The good thing with Japeth now is that he listens,” Tenorio said. “Nakikinig na siya sa akin, kahit nakikita sa game na frustrate ako sa kanya. He listens, and that’s one side of his maturity.”

“Feeling ko, talagang nagma-mature na siya, pero hopefully, sana tuloy-tuloy pa,” he added. “Siya ang pinaka-consistent sa team namin eh. Naandoon na siya, and hopefully, with that kind of game, mas mag-mature pa siya.”

Aguilar, who finished with 21 points and 12 rebounds against Talk 'N Text, is thankful that his teammates – especially Tenorio – gave him the confidence to go for the game-winner.

“’Yung confidence na binigay ni LA sa akin, kasi pinasa niya sa akin ‘yung bola, it shows na malaki ‘yung respeto niya sa akin, at ganoon din naman ako sa kanya,” said Aguilar.

“Nakikinig lang ako sa mga teammates ko, lalo na kay LA kasi siya 'yung coach ko sa game. Makikita mo sa game, pag out of control ako, pinagsasabihan ako ni LA,” he added.