INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines - National coach Yeng Guaiao liked what he saw when Japeth Aguilar hit the hardcourt for the first time with the Powerade Team Pilipinas.

Aguilar?s real game will be put to a test Thursday when the all-pro national squad takes on the visiting Athletes in Action at 6 p.m. at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

?We won?t really try to define [his role in the team] as of the moment,? national team coach Yeng Guiao said after the 6-foot-9 Aguilar joined the team?s practice on Monday night.

?We?ll watch him in the next few days, talk to him and just try to get him more comfortable with the system and the team.?

Aguilar, who arrived from the United States recently after a three-year stint with Western Kentucky University, will be ranged against American cagers also playing for US NCAA Division 1 squads.

?Coming from Division I schools in the US NCAA, the AIA players should provide us really stiff competition,? said Guiao. ?I believe we?ll have our hands full against them.?

?I?m trying to get adjusted,? said Aguilar, the son of former Northern Consolidated center Peter Aguilar. ?I know I have to work hard because I also feel pressured.?

But the lean, 210-lb Aguilar made a good first impression when he showcased his dunking and shotblocking skills during the team?s halfcourt 3-on-3 training.

?[Aguilar] is going to complement our running game,? said Guiao of the former Ateneo standout, whom he described as the ?country?s next dominant big man.?

?He?s more mobile and got better footwork.?