Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Gilas Pilipinas and Adelaide played only two games in a span of three days but that was enough for 36ers head coach Joey Wright to be left impressed with some of the national team players including Japeth Aguilar, whom he felt could fit in well in Australia’s National Basketball League.
Wright gave his nod to naturalized center Andray Blatche, guards Paul Lee and Robert Bolick, but the one who stood the most for him was Aguilar.
“I like Japeth, he’s a guy that I could think play in our league because he’s athletic and he finishes well and he’s pretty mobile,” said Wright after Adelaide’s 85-75 win over Gilas Sunday at Meralco Gym.
“I think he’ll really be a good guy in the Australian league.”
The 6-foot-9 Aguilar still averaged 9.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks in the two tune-up games despite having a subpar showing in the second scrimmage.
It was in the first game that Aguilar made massive impact with 17 points, including a two-handed poster dunk that sealed the Philippines’ 92-83 win. He also had four rebounds, and three blocks.
“They got a great player in Blatche and if he gets rolling and get those shooters hot, they can make a run at it,” said Wright, a former import in the PBA.
“Paul can shoot, he’s very good, and Robert left a very good impression on me.”
Wright added that the Philippines has to hit its outside shots in order to be effective in the 2019 Fiba Basketball World Cup as Gilas went bone dry from deep in the second exhibition, going 6-of-23.
“That’s a very well-coached team, they run some great sets and plays and they got guys who can shoot the ball,” said Wright.