JAPETH Aguilar capped his 10th PBA All-Star stint with a third Most Valuable Player award in the annual mid-season festivities that came to a close last Sunday in Candon City, Ilocos Sur.
At 39, the Barangay Ginebra big man demonstrated the same athleticism and energy, dunking his way in every given opportunity en route to leading Solid North past the Solid South, 147-142.
The many-time Gilas Pilipinas slotman finished with 29 points, punctuated by a perfect 7-of-7 dunk, with each attempt counted as three points.
The third All-Star MVP plum puts the eight-time PBA champion in an elite company that includes cage legend Vergel Meneses (four) and Terrence Romeo (three).
Aguilar bagged his first two All-Star MVP awards when he shared the top individual plum with Arwind Santos in 2019, and with Robert Bolick in 2024.
“I just want to enjoy the All-Star game and give the fans a show,” said Aguilar.
The top overall PBA pick in 2009 will try to use the just-ended All-Star festivities as a confidence booster as the PBA kicks off its Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup this Wednesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The mid-season conference allows each PBA team to bring in an import with no height restrictions.
Ginebra though opted to bring back resident import Justin Brownlee, who will be the shortest reinforcement for the import-spiced conference at 6-4.