Happy Birthday, Peter Aguilar ( May 3 )

Happy Birthday, Peter Aguilar 

Source : Assorted Magazines (PBA Archives Collections)

1989 PBA Rookie Draft 11th overall pick
1991 PBA Third Conference champion
NCC national team center

PETER AGUILAR
Given the proper breaks, Peter Aguilar has the potential to become a great slotman. Reed-thin and standing almost 6-6, he can be an effective intimidator at the middle. But as it is, Peter Aguilar's time is yet to come, Aguilar has hopped from one team to another endlessly trying to find his place in the local basketball galaxy. Fortunately, national coach Ron Jacobs took notice of him during the 1983 Sama-Sama Sa Paglalaro when Aguilar steered the the Pampanga provincial team to victory. Since then, Aguilar has been with the Team B of the national pool. However, he has been playing second fiddle to the other established amateur big men. Some observers say Aguilar lacks the heart. But Aguilar would claim otherwise. "I can do things if I am given the breaks," he said. Peter, 22, is from Sexmoan, Pampanga. He is the youngest among five kids of Peter, Sr. and Conchita Cruz. His eldest sister Eliza is a midwife, Danilo is an ex-Army sergeant, Tom is with the PC, while Julanita is a commerce graduate.  Peter fondly recalls how he first entertained notions of making it big as a basketball player. He is thankful to PBA star Etok Lobo and wife Lina Lacsamana for being the ones responsible for his trip to Manila in 1981. Lobo introduced Aguilar to coach Arturo Valenzona who in turn took him to Trinity College. In 1981, Peter played junior ball for TCOC. The following year, he made it to the senior line-up. In 1983, he left Trinity and saw action for Spotbilt in the PABL dry-run, In the PABL Founders' Cup, he donned the Southern Textile Mills Uniform. Last year, Aguilar played seven games for Northern Consolidated in the PBA "It's a nice experience. I got the chance to play against my idols Mon Fernandez, Abet Guidaben and Manny Victorino." Peter says he owes a lot to two coaches. Turo Valenzona has polished his style as a slotman. Ron Jacobs has taught him defense. Despite all these, Aguilar claims he has to learn more. And that's what he's doing.