TNT management says Japeth still part of their plans
Talk âN 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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âHe 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,â 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 heâs been reaching out regularly to Aguilar, Castro could not help but air his sentiments over previous reports surrounding the former Ateneo standout.
âI read what you guys wrote and read what you guys read. Lumalabas ngayon is that, apparently, heâs 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 âve been talking several times that he still wants to play for Talk âN Text. In the papers, hindi naman si Japeth ang nako-quote. So I donât 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,â 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.
âKakausapin naming siya once heâs back. Para malaman talaga ng diretso sa kanya. Iba kasi âyung harapan kayong mag-uusap, lalake sa lalake,â he noted, before adding: âWala ring date. Ang una niyang sinabi, after his birthday. Weâll see after his birthday on January 25. Sabi nga ibang tao, âPaâno mo makakausap ang wala dito? Paâno mo masa-sign ang wala dito? Paâno mo mate-trade ang wala dito?â
When Aguilarâs contract expired last July 31, Castro revealed that team management has offered him a max contract of three years, only to be turned down.
âWe offered him a max contract of three years. But one year lang gusto kasi âyun 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 âyung one year,â 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 âthree-peatâ in the Philippine Cup recently.
Knowing coach Norman Blackâs ability to hone up slotmen, Castro is convinced Aguilar will develop further once he returns to the TNT fold.
âHeâs a very young athletic athlete. Marami siyang pwedeng gawin but he has to understand the game. Hindi porket sobrang athletic ka, magaling kang magbasketball. Youâll 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,â he added.
Black, who also handled Aguilar during his short stint with the Blue Eagles, is also keeping his options open for Aguilar, saying: âIf he wants to play, Iâll play him.â