Ginebra’s high-flying big man Japeth Aguilar was named the PBA Player of the Week for the period of June 22 to 26 after he helped the Kings get two massive wins that helped them notch the best record of the league so far.
With the 6-foot-9 veteran finally recovered from a left calf injury, the Gin Kings notched two big wins last week for a 4-1 record and a share of the top spot with San Miguel Beer.
Aguilar imposed his will in Ginebra’s comeback win against NLEX, resulting in an 83-75 victory, and then pulled helped the Kings pull off a gritty 75-72 triumph over the Beermen behind Aguilar’s double-double average of 17.5 points and 10.5 rebounds. He also shot 54 percent from the field and submitted 2.5 blocks per game to clinch the Cignal Play-PBA Press Corps Player of the Week plum.
Aguilar notched 20 points on a stellar 9-of-13 shooting, grabbed seven rebounds, and had three blocks as Ginebra clawed back from 19 points down to beat NLEX.
In the Kings’ win over the Beermen, the son of former PBA player Peter Aguilar had 15 points, 14 boards, and two block shots.
Aguilar did his thing despite still taking extra precautions because of a nagging calf injury that sidelined him for most of the playoffs during the season-ending Governors Cup.
The twin victories by the Kings also provided coach Tim Cone a fitting sendoff as he will miss out the team’s next four games to join the Miami Heat staff in the NBA Summer League.
Ginebra stud Japeth Aguilar named PBA Player of the Week
