By MARK REY MONTEJO
Gilas coach Tim Cone let the fans know what skipper Japeth Aguilar set aside just to be with Gilas Pilipinas which recently earned raves after a stellar performance in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Riga, Latvia last weekend.
This came after Aguilar became the object of hate and ridicule following his not-so impressive showing in the team’s heartbreaking 71-60 defeat to Brazil in the semis that all but ended their Paris Olympics aspirations.
Cone was forced to use Aguilar for a longer time after fellow big Kai Sotto was sidelined due to rib injury he suffered in their game with Georgia.
Though Aguilar put up four points and six rebounds in 18 minutes of play, many believed it was not enough considering his status.
Cone, however, came to his rescue, saying Aguilar does not deserved that kind of treatment.
“I begged Japeth (Aguilar) to join us in Latvia,” Cone wrote on X (Formerly Twitter) Tuesday, July 9.
“He wanted to let the young guys do it and spend more time with his wife and new baby,” he added.
But things turned around for Aguilar as AJ Edu sustained a torn meniscus last December, giving the former a push to serve anew for the national team.
“Kept begging him. When AJ Edu went down, he finally relented after more begging,” Cone continued.
“He led us, he was our team captain. His sacrifice for [the] country was total.” he concluded.
The 11-strong group of Gilas highlighted its performance with a stunning 89-80 win over Latvia. They lost to Georgia, 96-94, but still made it to the semis.
