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Japeth makes up mind, signs up with BK
By: Zean Macamay, Journal Online
JAPETH Aguilar has finally decided to choose what’s best for him – sign up with Burger King and avoid being banned from
the Philippine Basketball Association.
The controversial No. 1 draft pick on Thursday night agreed to play for the Whoppers in the season-opening Philippine Cup,
ending his agonizing problem that nearly started a rift between the two biggest basketball groups in the country.
The 22-year -old product of Western Kentucky University, though, merely consented to a one-year deal with Burger King. He
also earned a right to still play for Smart-Gilas, which will compete in the PBA tournament, but will not see action for either
Burger King and Smart-Gilas if ever the teams collide.
“Napakahirap,” said PBA Chairman and Bur-ger King team manager Lito Alvarez when asked about how the negotiations
went through. “Marami ng masakit na salita ang nabitawan from both camps.
“I just told Japeth that he needs to be a part of the solution. The good thing here is that we have finally agreed to terms.”
Aguilar will thus receive the maximum allowable pay for a rookie worth P150,000 a month. He will sign up with the
Whoppers this morning before the team’s practice.
“Nag-agree na rin ako na one-year lang because in my assessment he wants to test the waters in the U.S.,” said Alvarez. “If
there’s a player right now who has a chance of playing in the National Developmental Basketball League (in the U.S.), I
think it’s him (Aguilar).”
Alvarez said that the pact could not have been arrived at if not for the intervention of Manny V. Pangilinan, the Talk ‘N Text
team owner and Chairman of the Sama-hang Basketball ng Pilipinas, the amateur governing body that bankrolls the Smart-
Gilas ball club.
“The key here is the participation of MVP,” said Alvarez. “At the same time, nakita ko rin yung sincerity ng SBP to resolve the
issue.”
Aguilar’s decision to sign up with Burger King now transforms the team into an instant darkhorse. The Whoppers have not
yet won a PBA title since joining the league in 2000. The best they could come up with was a runner-up finish in the 2007-08
Fiesta Conference.
Coach Yeng Guiao now has the figure to man the slot for him, a player he picked to be a part of the Powerade-Team
Pilipinas team that competed in the FIBA-Asia Championships in Tianjin, China.
But because of the limited practice time Aguilar has with Burger King, Guiao suspects that the former Ateneo slotman would
not get much playing time right away.
“Well, it depends. Kung makakapag-ensayo siya bukas (today), we will run the patterns for him. If he will be helpful to the
team, of course we will use him. If not, maiintindihan naman niya siguro ‘yun,” said Guiao.
The Whoppers will see action tomorrow, facing a Purefoods team that has been made stronger with the re-acquisition of
Marc Pingris, a former Finals MVP.
Although very young at 22, Aguilar’s stamina will be tested since he will play for two teams. Alvarez said that the Whoppers
and the PBA will still have to talk it out on how to treat the situation.
Smart-Gilas, the team tasked to reclaim an Olympic Games berth in 2012 in London, has been allowed to play as a guest
team but is not permitted to win the championship. Smart-Gilas will merely see action in the eliminations or for 20 games.
Wins and defeats by Smart-Gilas, though, will count. Alvarez said that that has been the decision by the PBA Board to treat
games against the Nationals with importance.
By: Zean Macamay, Journal Online
JAPETH Aguilar has finally decided to choose what’s best for him – sign up with Burger King and avoid being banned from
the Philippine Basketball Association.
The controversial No. 1 draft pick on Thursday night agreed to play for the Whoppers in the season-opening Philippine Cup,
ending his agonizing problem that nearly started a rift between the two biggest basketball groups in the country.
The 22-year -old product of Western Kentucky University, though, merely consented to a one-year deal with Burger King. He
also earned a right to still play for Smart-Gilas, which will compete in the PBA tournament, but will not see action for either
Burger King and Smart-Gilas if ever the teams collide.
“Napakahirap,” said PBA Chairman and Bur-ger King team manager Lito Alvarez when asked about how the negotiations
went through. “Marami ng masakit na salita ang nabitawan from both camps.
“I just told Japeth that he needs to be a part of the solution. The good thing here is that we have finally agreed to terms.”
Aguilar will thus receive the maximum allowable pay for a rookie worth P150,000 a month. He will sign up with the
Whoppers this morning before the team’s practice.
“Nag-agree na rin ako na one-year lang because in my assessment he wants to test the waters in the U.S.,” said Alvarez. “If
there’s a player right now who has a chance of playing in the National Developmental Basketball League (in the U.S.), I
think it’s him (Aguilar).”
Alvarez said that the pact could not have been arrived at if not for the intervention of Manny V. Pangilinan, the Talk ‘N Text
team owner and Chairman of the Sama-hang Basketball ng Pilipinas, the amateur governing body that bankrolls the Smart-
Gilas ball club.
“The key here is the participation of MVP,” said Alvarez. “At the same time, nakita ko rin yung sincerity ng SBP to resolve the
issue.”
Aguilar’s decision to sign up with Burger King now transforms the team into an instant darkhorse. The Whoppers have not
yet won a PBA title since joining the league in 2000. The best they could come up with was a runner-up finish in the 2007-08
Fiesta Conference.
Coach Yeng Guiao now has the figure to man the slot for him, a player he picked to be a part of the Powerade-Team
Pilipinas team that competed in the FIBA-Asia Championships in Tianjin, China.
But because of the limited practice time Aguilar has with Burger King, Guiao suspects that the former Ateneo slotman would
not get much playing time right away.
“Well, it depends. Kung makakapag-ensayo siya bukas (today), we will run the patterns for him. If he will be helpful to the
team, of course we will use him. If not, maiintindihan naman niya siguro ‘yun,” said Guiao.
The Whoppers will see action tomorrow, facing a Purefoods team that has been made stronger with the re-acquisition of
Marc Pingris, a former Finals MVP.
Although very young at 22, Aguilar’s stamina will be tested since he will play for two teams. Alvarez said that the Whoppers
and the PBA will still have to talk it out on how to treat the situation.
Smart-Gilas, the team tasked to reclaim an Olympic Games berth in 2012 in London, has been allowed to play as a guest
team but is not permitted to win the championship. Smart-Gilas will merely see action in the eliminations or for 20 games.
Wins and defeats by Smart-Gilas, though, will count. Alvarez said that that has been the decision by the PBA Board to treat
games against the Nationals with importance.