Aguilar not taking chances in bid to make Gilas team

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net

LUCENA — Despite being one of the elder statesmen in Gilas Pilipinas, Japeth Aguilar isn’t resting on his laurels as he vows to fight for his slot in the national team’s final 12.

“I’m the type of guy who will just sit back and play my best. But I’m a veteran here so I just want to be a good example for the younger guys,” he said.

Aguilar, however, won’t be on hand to guide the youthful pool members as he will be on the opposite side, seeing action in the loaded Luzon All-Stars crew on Friday at Quezon Convention Center here.

Though the PBA All-Stars have the distinct advantage when it comes to experience, the Ginebra forward expects nothing short of an intense duel between the two squads in Lucena.

“This will be a different All-Star and the purpose is to have a more competitive game compared from last year. We expect a hard fight from both teams,” he said.

Gilas already got itself a close duel in Cagayan de Oro on Wednesday, where the guard-heavy Mindanao All-Stars fought the Nationals to a 114 draw.

And Aguilar hopes for the same intensity in their duel as he looks at the second leg of the midseason festivities as his tryout to fortify his spot in the final roster for the 2017 Seaba Championships in May.

“It’s a different feeling. I still don’t feel secured because there’s still no final decision. I hope I make it so I can focus on Gilas too,” the reed thin forward said.