rbet Japeth: It’s getting harder to make PBA Finals

Barangay Ginebra veteran Japeth Aguilar during the PBA Governors’ Cup semifinals. –PBA Images

Japeth Aguilar admitted feeling a bit sentimental after helping Barangay Ginebra secure another PBA Finals appearance, especially at this point of his career.

“Pahirap na nang pahirap (It’s getting more and more difficult),” Aguilar told the Inquirer in a quick chat while carrying his 2-year-old son Jasiah after the Gin Kings’ conquest of the San Miguel Beermen in their recent Governors’ Cup semifinal series.

Article continues after this advertisement

Aguilar will be seeking a ninth PBA championship in his 12th appearance on the grandest stage, which he hopes to fulfill against his former team TNT in the series that starts Sunday at Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

FEATURED STORIES SPORTS TNT carries extra weapons into duel vs Ginebra SPORTS 2024 PBA Finals schedule: Barangay Ginebra vs TNT Tropang Giga SPORTS Alex Eala gets the boot in China tilt

PBA Finals schedule: Ginebra Gin Kings vs TNT Tropang Giga

But Aguilar seems to be cherishing this latest Finals sojourn. Now at age 37, he is a season removed from watching Ginebra fail at winning a title following two semifinal exits.

Article continues after this advertisement

“It takes a lot to get to the Finals, especially now that I’m past 35,” Aguilar said after a grueling semis dealing with San Miguel star and good friend June Mar Fajardo.

Article continues after this advertisement

Aguilar made life challenging for Fajardo, which greatly contributed in the Gin Kings getting the job done against their sister team under the San Miguel Corporation conglomerate.

Article continues after this advertisement

READ: Ginebra earns shot at getting back at TNT in PBA Finals

Aguilar tallied 17.8 points on a 62-percent rate from the field with 5.8 rebounds during the series that went six games. He was also key in terms of providing offense outside the likes of Justin Brownlee and rookie RJ Abarrientos.

Article continues after this advertisement

And his role on both ends will be important against the Tropang Giga, the same team the Gin Kings faced in a losing result back in the 2023 Governors’ Cup.

The bulk of Aguilar’s championships came in the same Governors’ Cup with four and he was Finals MVP when Ginebra defeated Meralco for the third time in 2019.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

SIGN ME UP

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

His other titles with Ginebra came in the 2018 and 2022 Commissioner’s Cup and 2020 Philippine Cup while also winning one in the 2012 Philippine Cup while still playing for TNT.rbet

READ NEXT UAAP: Pressure eases on Ateneo after back-to-back wins Cuajao hits seven 3s as Letran nips SSC EDITORS' PICK EDITORIAL: Meltdown won’t melt real issue Fil-Am mayor of San Diego widens reelection lead over challenger, poll shows Here’s how you can support your child’s growth & help them become the best they can be Kristine rescuers ‘overwhelmed’ by pleas for help amid flood Peza posts nearly P8 billion worth of investments in October PH bracing for steeper drop in rice harvest MOST READ Tropical Storm Kristine slightly intensifies; Signal No. 2 in 5 areas Taxing Pogos did not make them legal, says Sotto Walang Pasok: Class suspensions on Wednesday, Oct. 23 LIVE UPDATES: Tropical Storm Kristine View comments

• It
• rbet
• Getting
• Japeth
• Harder