Japeth Aguilar delivered a standout performance to lead Team Solid North to a thrilling 147-142 victory over Team South in the PBA All-Star Game on Sunday night at the Candon City Arena in Ilocos Sur.
Aguilar finished with 29 points, highlighted by a late three-point dunk that sealed the comeback win for the Leo Austria-coached North squad. His dominant showing earned him the All-Star Game Most Valuable Player honors.
Team North rallied in the fourth quarter behind the long-range shooting of Justin Arana and Adrian Nocum, who combined for 20 points in the final period as they erased a 10-point deficit.
Aguilar’s heroics also helped North extend its winning streak over Team South to six straight All-Star Games.
CJ Perez led North in scoring with 32 points, while Juan Gomez de Liaño and Nocum added 23 and 22 points, respectively.
Despite the competitive finish, Aguilar emphasized that the All-Star Game remained primarily about entertaining fans.
“PBA All-Star na lang talaga, enjoy lang talaga itong event na ‘to. Both North and South,” Aguilar said.
“Hindi naman masyadong seryoso. Para sa fans talaga.”
The Barangay Ginebra big man also thanked the Ilocano crowd for their warm reception during the All-Star festivities.
“Salamat sa Candon, salamat sa mainit na pag-support ninyo,” he said.
With the All-Star festivities wrapped up, Aguilar also called on supporters to continue backing the league as the PBA resumes regular competition.
“Sa lahat ng PBA fans, sana patuloy ninyo kaming suportahan at pumunta sa mga games,” he added.
The league returns to action this week as teams shift their focus back to the ongoing Commissioner’s Cup.
The post Japeth Aguilar powers North to All-Star win, earns MVP honors first appeared on Fastbreak.
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