Barangay Ginebra San Miguel suffered its second loss in the PBA Governors’ Cup after falling to the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 110-99, last Sunday.
Despite the defeat, Ginebra may have found something promising. One noticeable development this conference is that head coach Tim Cone has started giving reserve big man Kemark Cariño valuable playing time.
The 6-foot-9 center has suited up in two of Ginebra’s first three games, logging three minutes against Rain or Shine. His most efficient performance, however, came in the match against the Blackwater Bossing.
After the game, veteran Ginebra center Japeth Aguilar was asked whether Cariño could one day take over his role in the starting lineup. For the 39-year-old, the young big man certainly has a legitimate chance.
“Keep building up. Keep stacking up sa mga games niya. Ayun, and maganda naman yung attitude nung bata, ready siya lagi,” said Aguilar.
Can Cariño Turn Into Aguilar’s Frontcourt Partner and Eventual Heir?
After spending more than a decade with Ginebra, Japeth Aguilar has shared the frontcourt with numerous talented big men.
There was, of course, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2013 PBA Draft, Greg Slaughter. Then came the 6-foot-8 bruiser Christian Standhardinger, and at one point, Prince Caperal also formed a frontcourt tandem with Aguilar.
All of those players helped bring championships to the Ginebra franchise, yet Aguilar is the only one who remains with the team today.
Truth be told, the former Gilas Pilipinas power forward is already in the twilight of his career. There is no telling how many more conferences he can remain as Ginebra’s starting center.
However, if the PBA’s winningest head coach can develop Cariño into the player he is capable of becoming, then perhaps Aguilar will eventually be able to hang up his jersey knowing that Ginebra’s future in the frontcourt is in good hands.
