Japeth Aguilar retires from Gilas Pilipinas

Veteran big man Japeth Aguilar has officially retired from playing for the national team, Gilas Pilipinas, after almost a two-decade stint.

Aguilar, who started donning national colors in 2009 as a pioneer member of the Smart Gilas Pilipinas program, announced his retirement just before Gilas Pilipinas' game against Guam in the 2025 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.

He represented the Philippines in three FIBA World Cup editions (2014, 2019, and 2023) and was part of the gold-medal winning squad in the 2023 Asian Games, ending a 61-year thirst for the Philippines.

In his final game, the 38-year-old started and played 10 minutes against Guam, finishing with three points, a rebound, and a steal.

Aguilar expressed confidence in the younger generation of players like Kai Sotto, AJ Edu, and Quentin Millora-Brown, stating that their full potential has yet to be seen.

He encouraged continued trust in the system and support for the team's core, hoping they remain healthy and united.