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TNT management says Japeth still part of their plans

TNT Team manager Aboy Castro (right) during Game 4 of the Philippine Cup.

Talk ‘N Text will always have its door open for unpredictable center Japeth Aguilar.

In a recent interview with Yahoo! Philippines, team manager Aboy Castro expressed optimism that Aguilar will continue to suit up for the Tropang Texters amid reports the 6-foot-9 beanpole is requesting for a trade.

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“He remains part of our plans and we still want to work with him. So if he wants to come back, obviously, we have a spot for him,” he stated.

Aguilar, who turned 26 on Friday , remains in Chicago with his family, but continues to make headlines with his wish of being traded to another team.

While disclosing he’s been reaching out regularly to Aguilar, Castro could not help but air his sentiments over previous reports surrounding the former Ateneo standout.

“I read what you guys wrote and read what you guys read.  Lumalabas ngayon is that, apparently, he’s demanding for a trade. The funny thing about it is we talked to him last Saturday then lumabas lahat ng (stories about a trade) nung Monday. We ‘ve been talking several times that he still wants to play for Talk ‘N Text. In the papers, hindi naman si Japeth ang nako-quote. So I don’t know if there was anything that change significantly between the time we talked to him and the time na lumabas itong lahat on Monday. Or maybe iba lang talaga ang nagsasalita,” he related.

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Instead of giving attention on several rumors, Castro is eager to sit down with Aguilar once he arrive in the country. But that scenario, as he admitted, remains to be seen.

“Kakausapin naming siya once he’s back. Para malaman talaga ng diretso sa kanya.  Iba kasi ‘yung harapan kayong mag-uusap, lalake sa lalake,” he noted, before adding: “Wala ring date. Ang una niyang sinabi, after his birthday. We’ll see after his birthday on January 25. Sabi nga ibang tao, ‘Pa’no mo makakausap ang wala dito? Pa’no mo masa-sign ang wala dito? Pa’no mo mate-trade ang wala dito?”

When Aguilar’s contract expired last July 31, Castro revealed that team management has offered him a max contract of three years, only to be turned down.

“We offered him a max contract of three years. But one year lang gusto kasi ‘yun nga, he wanted to try (his luck) in the D-League in the US. Pinapaliwanag ko na three years dapat na lang pero umaalis ng mas maaga. Ni hindi man lang pinirmahan ‘yung one year,” he rued.

Confident with his skills against the stiffer competition in the US, Aguilar was drafted by the Santa Cruz Warriors in the NBA D-League but hardly showcased his talent during a handful of pre-season games. He was then cut prior to the start of the season.

With his lofty dream of making it to the NBA getting shelved anew, Aguilar was expected by TNT officials to return quickly to the country. But Aguilar opted to remain with his family as the Tropang Texters completed a ‘three-peat’ in the Philippine Cup recently.

Knowing coach Norman Black’s ability to hone up slotmen, Castro is convinced Aguilar will develop further once he returns to the TNT fold.

“He’s a very young athletic athlete. Marami siyang pwedeng gawin but he has to understand the game. Hindi porket sobrang athletic ka, magaling kang magbasketball. You’ll have to understand the game and understand the defensive patterns ni coach (Norman). The only way you can do it is when you undergo practices for a while,” he added.

Black, who also handled Aguilar during his short stint with the Blue Eagles, is also keeping his options open for Aguilar, saying: “If he wants to play, I’ll play him.”