Aguilar to play for Gilas in ‘Ondoy’ charity game

source: Waylon Galvez | mb.com.ph

Japeth Aguilar will have a chance to play for his adopted Smart Gilas team when it plays the PBA Powerade Team Pilipinas in a charity game to raise funds for victims of Typhoon “Ondoy.”

The game will be held on Monday at the Araneta Coliseum and is dubbed “Pinoy Basketball Kakampi N’yo.”

(CLICK HERE TO WATCH GILAS VS. SLINGERS game replay video)

Aguilar’s stint in a PBA-sanctioned game will be a one-shot affair as the league has not decided yet on whether it will allow the former US NCAA player to suit up for Gilas when it competes in the coming PBA conference.

Aguilar was also a member of the Powerade team which placed eighth in the recent FIBA-Asia men’s championship in China and thus can suit up for the Yeng Guiao-mentored squad.

But Gilas submitted Aguilar’s name in its lineup and PBA board chairman and Burger King team manager Lito Alvarez said he has no problem with that.

Alvarez, who has a pending motion with the PBA board to ban Aguilar in the PBA for life, said the player can join his Gilas teammates but only for this one game.

Aguilar earned the ire of Burger King after he refused to sign a contract after being picked No. 1 overall.

“I think this is a good opportunity for local basketball fans to see him (Aguilar) play,” Alvarez said.

Meanwhile, the PBA will also distribute relief goods for Ondoy victims.

Commissioner Sonny Barrios and the PBA board of governors authorized Sunday the release of food donations for victims of “Ondoy.”

PBA media bureau chief Willy Marcial said the Office of the Commissioner will buy bread, canned goods and other food items from cash donations of the 10 member ballclubs.

“Net proceeds from the 35th season inaugural day ceremony on October 11 will also go with the seed money which the ballclubs have put up as calamity fund,” he added.

The charity game is a joint venture of the PBA, the SBP, Philippine Basketball League (PBL) the Liga Pilipinas, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), and the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP).

Ticket prices are P200 for ringside/patron, P100 for lower box and P50 for upper A. Upper B and bleachers will be free to the public.