Burger King and RP team coach Joseller “Yeng” Guiao said that if Japeth Aguilar could further polish his craft and maximize it well, he could become the most explosive big man in the pro league in the years to come.

Guiao is already happy and contented with what the 6-foot-10 Aguilar is performing right now – a big improvement from his brief stint with the Ateneo Blue Eagles several years back.

That’s the observation made by Guiao, coach of the Powerade-Team Pilipinas where Aguilar, the son of former PBA player Peter Aguilar, made his debut Thursday night in an exhibition game against American Soldiers for Christ at The Arena in San Juan.

“Nag-improve siya from his Ateneo days,” Guiao said of the prized forward. “Kailangan lang ma-expose pa siya to more competitions. Considering na di naman siya gaano nagamit sa college.”

After Aguilar played for the Blue Eagles during the 2004 UAAP season, he went to the United States the following year. There he was recruited by Western Kentucky University (WKU), a division 1 school in the US NCAA.

However, Aguilar saw limited minutes with the Hilltoppers.

“Ang tingin ko na kailangan niya is game experience, wala kasi siyang kagulang-gulang. Very basic ang knowledge niya sa basketball. He can only gain that experience to real competition, he needs to compete,” Guiao said of Aguilar, who had eight points, six rebounds and four blocked shots in RP team’s 100-94 victory against the visiting American missionaries.

Nevertheless, the revered mentor said that having Aguilar, 24, will help the Nationals’ need for a versatile big man.

“As soon as maintindihan niya ’yung role at maging comfortable siya sa teammates niya... medyo mahiyain kasi si Japeth e. But he’s very quick for his size, once he settles down he has a good outside shot, he complement our running game and he’s a good shot blocker,” Guiao said.

“We’ll not get Japeth’s maximum potential in (Tianjin) China, it will take about a year for him to understand the game and be mature enough. Although malaking tulong sa kanya ’yung Jones Cup for the FIBA-Asia tournament,” he added.

The nationals will leave for Taiwan next week for the Jones Cup, which is part of their preparation for the FIBA-Asia championship in China next month, the qualifying meet for the 2010 World Championship in Turkey.

Aside from Aguilar, only five national team members showed up against Soldiers for Christ — James Yap, Kerby Raymundo, Ranidel de Ocampo, Willie Miller and Arwind Santos.

Santos scored 22 points and grabbed 13 rebounds, while Yap contributed 18 points. The team was reinforced by Burger King’s Wynne Arboleda and rookie Mark Yee, who combined for 18 points, and Beau Belga (four points, five rebounds and two blocked shots).