Spurs to workout forward Japeth Aguilar
The San Antonio Spurs' training camp is fast approaching which means the team is 
going to continue to look at players to fill the camp roster. The Spurs have already looked at a variety of players, and up next they will workout forward Japeth Aguilar (via ABS-CBNnews) this week.
The 25-year old Aguilar is a former Philippine Basketball Association No. 1 draft pick and has been working out for some D-League teams this summer but his goal is to make it into the NBA.
He is 6-9, 225 lbs., and played at Western Kentucky University for two seasons before leaving in 2009. Since then, he has been playing in the Philippine Basketball Association.
As mentioned, he has been working out for several D-League teams and so far, the criticism hasn't been completely positive.
"I think right now he's a little too passive," Bryant said. "He needs to be the man, and mix that with some aggression."
"I want to see him throw an elbow or something. Get out of his shell a little and play loose. I think he'll really be something special," he added.
"He's been playing as a four or a five (power forward or center) in the Philippines, so we'll have to transition him into a three (small forward). It' going to be a process for him," Voigt said.
But for Japeth, he wants to become the first Filipino to make it into the NBA.
"It was going to be now or never," Aguilar said. "If it's not for me, then at least I tried. I don't want to have any regrets, so I just want to try."
Japeth's contract with his current team in the PBA has expired but he will be a long-shot to making it with the Spurs or the NBA. Though the Spurs do need size, they need a big that is physical, and a bit more established in the NBA unlike Aguilar.
What do you have to say Spurs fans?
For the record, has been any players from the PBA that has made it to the NBA in the past?
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He will certainly spread and strengthened the "Spurs" brand in a country that is already truly deeply madly in love with the game. And I can only imagine that my beloved team will make the trip to Manila to play an exhibition game where it presents me a great chance to see them in the flesh.
If that happens, would love if any of South East Asia brothers here could give me a helping hand when I'm down in the Philippines :)
@SivanJohn Spurs fans are few as compared to the big city teams. But Spurs fans are the most loyal and that's what really counts.
Only shows how great the Spurs' scouts are. I'm quite surprised how they found out about Japeth considering that he played extensively in the Philippines. But like I said. It's a tall order. Stack5 and Kawhi Leonard all, but closed the door on another swingman for the team. The best he can come uup is to be signed as a D-League player for the Toros or any other team. Get experience there and maybe, just maybe. He'll get a shot in donning an NBA jersey. Good Luck brother.
@AlvinPatacsil You're absolutely right, the Spurs scouting team is very effective in finding the most obscure talent in the world in the most unexpected place, so you gotta believe that this is just one of them.
If jeremy lin can sell tickets how much more a guy from the philippines. A basketball crazy nation? San Antonio spurs will always be pack of filipinos watching for Japeth Aguilar. Greg Popovich has been always been a coach who can improve a player and the given oppurtunity to play even in limited minutes. But man if Japeth can sign any team in the NBA. DAMN tickets are like hotcakes SON!!!!
Being a Filipino, I will always be supportive of a fellow "kababayan"(countryman). No matter how tall the odds are against him. He was never given the chance to play here with a lot of minutes in the PBA but yes, he's defense and agility stands out especially in international plays. Given the proper training and minutes he can make it. To all fans who doesn't know him, He's a former teammate of Courtney Lee in WKU and plays similar to another former Spurs draftee Viktor Sanikidze.
They are looking at him for his shot blocking abilities and defense as well as his athleticism. At 6'9" 225 and jumping abilities to go along with his shot blocking defense he could be the Durant neutralizer if he's aggressive enough.
He actually posterized Kevin Durant when Nba-all star select and Rp-Team played an exhibition game in June of 2011.. Search it in Youtube..
wow i really hope that he could make it to the SPURS. I'm a filipino Spurs Fan for almost 10 years, and watching the first filipino NBA player with my fav team would be great for me. GO SPURS GO!
@lexleyjon Do you want him to make it to the Spurs because hes Filipino or because he has some real skill and value for your team! You have to pick with your head not your heart
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@16xworldchampionl8keshow Will is there anything wrong to support him because he comes from the same country? After all, didn't many Argentine and French NBA lover became instance Spurs fans over the years because 2 of the Big 3?
I'll admit that I started following the Spurs because of Manu Ginobili but over the years I've became very attached to them that I can truly say now that they are my team in the NBA, period.
And for the record, I'm from Malaysia not Argentina!!!
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@16xworldchampionl8keshow @lexleyjon Most every fan picks with their heart...there is nothing wrong with wanting to see a fellow countryman succeed in the NBA. If he makes the team, it means he DOES have real skill and value. If he doesn't, then so be it. But there's nothing wrong with wanting someone to make the team...you clown.
Japeth is not playing good here in the Philippines. Hes still a project but who knows? He has all the tools to be in the NBA. Spirit, energy and focus to the game are what he needs and I hope he can fight it during camp.
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@dongspurs20 Obviously Pop likes his defensive abilities and if he impresses Pop enough he just might send him to the D-League Toros for some NBA like experience. Who knows?
Japeth needs to be more physical if he wants to play in the NBA. He was not an outstanding player in the Philippines' PBA and what more in the NBA. Hope he improves. Wish that he could be the first Filipino NBA player.
@Raul Oblepias Japeth is a very good player, the coach of Talk and text in PBA did not give him playing, Even when he was with smart gilas, he wasn't given playing time too. So it's good decision for him to try his luck in US. I had been following him since he was in Ateneo and I was just surprised when I saw him in NCAA division 1 playing with western kentucky vs UCLA with Kevin Love and Russel Westbrook. Japeth I pray for you, the first pure blood Filipino who will make to NBA
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@Raul Oblepias I like his shot blocking and jumping abilities like this one on Durant.
I'm not sure whether he is really NBA material but the fact is if he really does sign for the Spurs; I will be glad to say that I will more fellow Spurs fans to company me in the morning during live games/updates from South East Asia. Expect the basketball crazy nation to go mental over the Spurs.
Go Spurs Go!!!!
@SivanJohn NOW. Ican say taht I am not the only Southeast asian watching spurs game in the morning . I'm not afraid skip class for a SPURS GAME! HAHA!
@lexleyjon Yes please ! But don't mentioned my name if you do get caught for skipping class :D
@paulomacalino pero tryout pa lang. But I hope he makes it! Kahit sa D-League lang muna. hahaha!
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Alright Japheth. He needs that Pacquiao "fighting spirit" !! I wish him the best. Sounds more like a confidence and cultural issue like, "I'm not supposed to be here" kind of thinking. We have too many threes, but he could play four it sounds like. If he could just spit nails, he would be in business...NBA business!
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quite interesting! being a Filipino, i hope he makes it! but being a Spurs fan for 13 years now, I think it would be quite hard to make it to the roster. But heym anything's possible!
