from gmanews.tv
It’s too late in the day to replace the slot of controversial center Japeth Aguilar in the coming NBA Asia Challenge, according to Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) commissioner Sonny Barrios.
“Unfortunately, masyadong gahol na para pa palitan siya (Aguilar)," admitted Barrios. “Kaya wala na tayong ipapalit sa slot ni Japeth. Rekwerdo na lang yung uniform niya."
The 6-foot-10 Aguilar was originally part of the PBA roster set to see action against the cast of NBA greats led by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on Sept. 11 at the Araneta Coliseum.
He was actually one of five members of the Powerade-Team Pilipinas included by coach Yeng Guiao in the lineup.
But Aguilar was scratched off the list at the last minute after the former Western Kentucky University stalwart opted to forgo his first playing season in the league to instead play for the all-amateur Gilas national team.
While Aguilar can only watch from afar, members of the PBA selection like Dondon Hontiveros, Joseph Yeo and former league Most Valuable Player (MVP) Kenneth Duremdes can live up their dream of sharing the court with the NBA legends.
“It’s an honor for me to play against them," said Yeo. “Kahit matatanda na sila, masaya pa rin kami playing with them in the same court.
For his part, Hontiveros said: “These are the players na pinapanood lang namin sa TV before, that we tried to emulate. Now, makakalaro na namin sila."
“Yung makalaro lang sila one time, malaking bagay na sa amin `yun," said Duremdes. “Sila kasi `yung mga inspirasyon namin nung naglalaro pa lang kami."
The three will be joined in the RP lineup by four-time MVP Alvin Patrimonio, Benjie Paras, Allan Caidic, Ronnie Magsanoc and active players Arwind Santos, Willie Miller, Wynne Arboleda, Enrico Villanueva, Sonny Thoss, Jay-R Reyes and Marc Pingris.
Aside from Jabbar, the former NBA players seeing action include Robert Horry, Dominique Wilkins, Tim Hardaway and Vlade Divac. They will be reinforced by players from the NBA Developmental League. - GMANews.TV
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