Slot reserved for Japeth

source: Joel Orellana | businessmirror.com.ph

Fourteen seats taken, one left open.

And Burger King is reserving the spot to Japeth Aguilar.

Whopper head coach Yeng Guiao said on Tuesday the team is expecting the worst but is still hoping for the best regarding the case of Aguilar, their No. 1 overall pick in the last Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Rookie Draft who refused to sign their maximum offer for a rookie.

“We are having this mindset that we might play without him this coming season,” said Guiao. The 35th season of the league opens on October 11 at the Araneta Coliseum.

“Of course, we would want him to be with our squad, which is why his spot is still open once he returns and reaches an agreement with us,” he added.

The team just signed free agent Chico Lanete to complete its 14-man roster and Guiao said they are reserving the last spot to the six-foot-10 former Western Kentucky University reserve in case the issue is settled before the league opens.

The 22-year-old Aguilar rejected Burger King’s three-year, P8.7-million offer and said instead that he will play for the Smart Gilas national team of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).

But even without Aguilar, Guiao said the team remains formidable in the coming Philippine Cup.

“The team is doing okay and we’re still a pretty solid team. This team has a lot of upside with our new acquisitions and the holdovers building chemistry quickly,” said Guiao. “But if Japeth joins us, then we will be a team to contend with this season.”

The five-foot-11 Lanete was the latest addition to the Burger King roster. Lanete had stints with Purefoods Tender Juicy and Barangay Ginebra.

The only key player in its core to be taken off the roster was Arwind Santos, who was traded to San Miguel Beer in a multiplayer deal. Burger King also shipped Ken Bono, whom they got in a trade with the Beermen, to Coca-Cola.

The Whopper also acquired a key player in Ronjay Buenafe from the Tigers and also signed rookies Ronnie Matias, the team’s first-round selection, and Orlando Daroya from the Kings via a trade.

The Bert Lina franchise is eyeing its first crown in the PBA, while Guiao is looking for his first All-Filipino title after leading Red Bull to five import-flavored conference championships.

If Aguilar decides to honor his commitment with Burger King, Guiao said their chance of winning would look brighter.