Just when it seemed like Barangay Ginebra San Miguel was ready to pass on the torch to its next generation of stars, 37-year-old center Japeth Aguilar made it a point to announce that he still has plenty left in the tank.

Aguilar has been one of the most consistent locals for Ginebra in the ongoing 2024 PBA Governor’s Cup, and he reached another gear in their recent 110-101 victory over the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters. Aguilar led the charge in the win with 31 points—just one shy of his career-high—on an ultra-efficient 11-of-13 from the field, adding four rebounds, two assists, and a steal to his stat line.

The 6’9 Aguilar may no longer be in his physical prime, but his athleticism still stands out relative to the rest of the PBA, allowing him to still play a vital role at this stage of his career. Over the years, the three-time PBA Mythical First Team member has evolved from being a player prone to lapses in judgment into a much more polished and efficient force on the court.

So while Aguilar’s dunks may no longer have the flair that made him popular during his younger days, this veteran version of him might actually be a more effective player overall. His decision-making and finishing ability around the basket have improved greatly and this has made him an even easier passing target for Ginebra’s guards.

This was on full display against the Super LPG Fuel Masters in a game that seemed like it was headed for a blowout in the third quarter. Ginebra was in control early on in the second half as they built a 20-point lead on two occasions, with the second coming at the 7:15 mark of the third quarter after Maverick Ahanmisi’s three-pointer gave Ginebra a 72-52 advantage. 

Ginebra, however, quickly responded with a 13-2 run to close the third quarter. This was highlighted by a signature Aguilar transition dunk and a buzzer-beating four-pointer from Stephen Holt.

Aguilar, alongside Justin Brownlee and Holt, eventually proved to be too much for Phoenix’s frontcourt to handle. Brownlee delivered a triple-double with 23 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists, while Holt contributed 19 points, three rebounds, four assists, and a steal.

Ginebra’s back-to-back wins have boosted their record to 3-2, tying them for second place in Group B with their sister team, the San Miguel Beermen.

If Aguilar can continue to play at this level, there is no doubt that Ginebra will be in the mix to win the championship in this conference. Though their future stars such as Holt, RJ Abarrientos, and Isaac Go are ready to play pivotal roles, Aguilar and his veteran teammates have shown that, for now, they are still more than capable of leading the charge. In Aguilar’s case, age is clearly just a number, and he continues to prove it with every game of this Governor’s Cup.