source: Waylon Galvez | mb.com.ph
Japeth Aguilar, regarded as the future superstar of Philippine basketball, has reportedly agreed to play for Burger King when the Philippine Basketball Association’s 35th season opens this Sunday.
If the last kinks are ironed out, Aguilar’s stint with Burger King ends weeks of recriminations during which the 6-10 former Western University player decided not to sign with the Whopper after he was picked No. 1 overall by the team in the last draft, and Burger King threatened to ban him for life from playing in the PBA.
But on Friday, the two sides appeared to have found a middle ground to satisfy their interests.
A source who requested anonymity because he was not authorized to reveal details of the negotiation said Aguilar, 22, will suit up for the Whopper and after several games, will be traded to Talk 'N Text.
After a few more games, TNT will release Aguilar to Smart-Gilas where he will play the remainder of the PBA conference.
Aguilar’s eventual release from TNT is expected to be smooth as it is owned by businessman Manny Pangilinan who is also head of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas which bankrolls the Smart-Gilas national team.
Burger King governor and PBA chairman Lito Alvarez said he expects Aguilar to sign the P8.7 million Uniformed Players Contract (UPC) they offered.
“It’s 90 percent sure he will play for Burger King,” said Alvarez before his meeting with Aguilar and his representative Ronnie Nathanielsz yesterday.
“Our objective is for him to play for Burger King,” Alvarez said of Aguilar. Nathanielsz confirmed Alvarez’s announcement.
“We talked the whole day last Thursday, and we had a good discussion. We’re trying to have a win-win situation for everybody,” Nathanielz told the Bulletin in a phone interview.
With this development, Burger King coach Yeng Guiao said he’s happy that the issue has been resolved before the start of the new PBA season.
Guiao coached Aguilar during the Powerade Team Pilipinas’ stint in the last Asia-FIBA championship in China.
“Ang sa akin lang kasi, as long as we can have a resolution to the problem, that’s the best for all. I think makakabuti sa lahat, whatever yung resolution na yun,” Guiao said.
“As long as meron ng agreement yung mga bosses natin, agreeable na rin ako run.”
Aguilar’s stint with Whopper against Purefoods in the PBA opening game on Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum appeared a certainty after Aguilar was granted a professional license by the Games and Amusements Board, a source said.
Aguilar may have a little catching up to do in learning Guiao’s play patterns.
“Well, it depends. Kung makaka-ensayo siya bukas (today), we will run the patterns for him,” said Guiao.
“If he will be helpful to the team, of course we will use him. If not, maiintindihan naman niya siguro ‘yun.”
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