'Big time shot, big time player': Japeth heroics not a surprise for Ginebra teammates

The last time 6-foot-9 forward Japeth Aguilar hit a clutch trey for Barangay Ginebra, his moment of elation was cut short as Meralco denied him the chance of giving his team a victory.

On Wednesday, however, he was finally able to play hero in the dying seconds of their match against NLEX. The situation was eerily similar - the Kings had possession, and the play was designed for their two imports Orlando Johnson and Jiwan Kim.

Johnson drove to penetrate the lane, and the Road Warriors' defense collapsed to leave Aguilar wide open in the left corner. He received the kick out pass and shot the triple without hesitation despite KG Canaleta's hand on his face.

Swish. Nothing but net.

"Big time shot, big time player. Japeth really stepped up for us," said 7-foot-1 center Greg Slaughter about the other half of Ginebra's twin towers.

Slaughter added that he wasn't too surprised seeing his soft-spoken teammate showcasing his sweet stroke in the clutch.

"It's my fourth time seeing him take that," he said. "It's clutch."

Aguilar, whose seven points in the stat sheet pale in comparison to his impact in the game, said he just occasionally dabbles into shooting from long range in practice, instead focusing on his inside game.

"Mostly sa loob talaga ako," he said. "Kaunti lang talaga 'yung three-points pag nag-e-ensayo ako."

Asked if he envisions converting to a stretch four, the athletic forward said he is mainly concerned about Ginebra's position needs.

"Open ako to expand my game like that, pero ngayon dahil sa role ko dito sa team na 'to, mas kailangan ako sa loob," he said.

Aguilar doesn't think much of his heroic moment, either, and was only happy his team made it to the playoffs despite their remote chances.

"Kanina nung nasa loob kami sinabi namin na we're still breathing," he said. "This game I'm really proud of my teammates." - RAF, GMA News