MANILA, Philippines — Japeth Aguilar shone under Talk ‘N Text’s run-and-gun system Friday night, pouring 27 points to lead the defending champions to a 98-80 victory over sister team Meralco in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo City.

A product of Smart-Gilas Pilipinas, the 24-year-old Aguilar showed maturity, blending well with his new team under coach Chot Reyes, and taking over as the primary option on offense.

Aguilar shot 9-of-13 from the field, and 9-of-12 from the free throw line while adding eight rebounds with two steals and a shot block in 32 minutes of action.

He highlighted his performance with a tomahawk dunk off former Smart-Gilas teammate Jason Ballesteros.

“Japeth is really eager to play, and I told him to relax, let the game come to him,” Reyes, a member of the Smart-Gilas coaching staff, said. “But he was able to adjust quickly, even though this is just his first game in the PBA. He fits our style perfectly, coz we’re running up and down the floor.”

It was actually Aguilar’s second game as a pro.

In his PBA debut with Burger King in 2009, Aguilar had 10 points and nine rebounds in 24 minutes of action.

After that game, Aguilar was traded immediately to Barako Bull (now Shopinas.com), which dealt him Talk ’N Text. The Texters released him to the national team under Serbian mentor Rajko Toroman.

Though used sparingly by Toroman during the FIBA-Asia games, Aguilar said he learned a lot from the former Olympic coach of Iran.

“My two years with coach Rajko, I learned so many things. Although I wasn’t given longer minutes during games, he helped me in other things. Like being patient and observing the plays. So I’m applying it now that I’m in the PBA again,” Aguilar said.