SMART CLARK GIGA CITY--Japeth Aguilar is getting back to his peak form ahead of the playoff campaign of title contender Ginebra.
Despite entering the PBA bubble late, Aguilar has been doubling his effort to regain the shape that earned him the Finals MVP award in the Governors' Cup earlier this year.
"May mga unexpected na nangyari ganyan. Ngayon tyinaga ko lang talaga nung nandito na 'ko sa bubble. 'Yun nga parang nagmamadali so sinubukan ko talaga i-force 'yung sa sarili ko para mabalik sa rhythm, sa kondisyon," he said.
"Almost two months akong inactive before coming into the bubble so sinubukan ko humabol. Ayun tyinaga ko lang talaga dahil dalawang beses lang ako naka-practice with them before the season started."
Apart from practice and regular schedule at the gym and pool inside the Quest Hotel, the 33-year-old big man is doing extra morning jog for 20 minutes along with roommate Arth Dela Cruz.
The Gilas Pilipinas mainstay is also having extra leg work on the treadmill and hitting the weights room.
All of these have been paying off for Aguilar.
After coming out flat with seven points and three rebounds in the Kings' Philippine Cup debut, the five-time champion dished out averages of 14.3 markers and 7.2 boards in the next nine games.
And in an all-important assignment, the 11-year league vetaran pumped in his season-high 21 points to go with seven rebounds as Ginebra thrashed Terrafirma, 102, 80, to snag the top seed Monday night at the AUF Arena.
While he's looking to be peaking at the right time, Aguilar stressed that he just wanted to help the Tim Cone-coached squad.
"For me, ang focus ko lang talaga kung paano ko matutulungan yung team. Maganda 'to entering the playoffs. Gusto ko lang maging mataas yung morale ng team.