source: Joaquin Henson | philstar.com
The uproar over Japeth Aguilar’s reported refusal to play in the PBA after he applied for the draft and was picked first overall by Burger King is understandable. It’s like the 22-year-old wunderkind took the 34-year-old PBA for a ride, basked in the glory of becoming the league’s first overall draft choice and now is declaring free agency.
You can’t blame the PBA for crying foul. Aguilar hogged the spotlight in the recent PBA draft and nearly wept when commissioner Sonny Barrios officially declared him the year’s top overall pick. A dream come true was how Aguilar described his ascension to the pro ranks.
But Aguilar has since changed his tune. He’s been offered the maximum three-year contract by Burger King, leaving no room for negotiation, and the former Western Kentucky reserve center isn’t signing.
Under PBA rules, a drafted player who doesn’t come to terms with the team that has his rights will sit out a year. He will sit out another year if he still fails to reach an agreement with the same team. On the third year, he will be allowed to reenlist in the draft. The consolation of the team that held his rights is he will not have played for any other team for two years.
In Aguilar’s case, the PBA is considering a lifetime ban or at least a severe penalty. The rules don’t stipulate such a penalty but Barrios has the discretion to lower the boom on Aguilar for reneging on his commitment to play in the PBA.
“The PBA rules allowing for a two-year sit-out do not apply to Japeth because this is not a case of negotiation since he has been offered the maximum terms,” said a PBA insider. “We never forced Japeth to apply for the draft but he did. With his application comes a commitment to play. He was drafted first overall, an honor for any player, and for Japeth to now refuse to play in the PBA is a slap on the face of a league that is an institution.”
Some PBA Board members chastised Aguilar for making a mockery of the league because of his turnaround.
However, is Aguilar really to blame? Remember, he’s just a kid. His father Peter, a former PBA cager, is in Chicago and unable to appreciate the circumstances surrounding the case.
* * * *
When Aguilar joined the Smart-Gilas tryouts in Las Vegas last summer, he gained the vote of confidence from Serbian coach Rajko Toroman who described him as the country’s best big man prospect by far. Aguilar subsequently told Toroman he wanted to play for Smart-Gilas and would delay his application for the PBA draft.
Toroman said Aguilar hardly saw action for Western Kentucky the last two years and the 6-9 prospect needed to gain more court experience before entering the pros.
Then, Aguilar arrived in Manila and was surrounded by advisers who promised the PBA they would deliver the kid to the league. The advisers swore they meant well and only had Aguilar’s best interests in mind.
To warm up Aguilar for the PBA, national coach Yeng Guiao brought him to Taipei to play for the Powerade squad at the Jones Cup. Aguilar later joined the national team in Tianjin for the FIBA-Asia Championships.
It was during the Tianjin tournament that reality dawned on Aguilar. His eyes were opened to the bottom line that he’s not ready to go to war in the pros. Because of his lack of competitive exposure, Aguilar would be easy prey for the likes of Jay-R Reyes, Kerby Raymundo, Sonny Thoss, Asi Taulava and even a hardened rookie like Rico Maierhofer in the PBA.
Aguilar must have realized he listened to the wrong advisers. He was clearly misled. In Las Vegas, it seemed certain he would join Smart-Gilas and postpone his entry into the PBA. But shortly after he landed in Manila and spoke with his “well-meaning” advisers, he changed his mind.
If Aguilar had maliciously and deviously plotted to snub the PBA, then maybe he deserves a lifetime ban. But it’s evident that he never meant to malign the PBA. He was misled into thinking he was ready for the pros by advisers who like to present themselves as righteous and sincere. Surely, the PBA can’t be harsh on a kid who made a serious mistake in finding his basketball career path. Instead of detractors ganging up on Aguilar, his advisers should be lined up against the wall in front of a firing squad.
* * * *
Aguilar has a tremendous upside and will someday be a dominant force in the PBA but not right now. In two or three years, he will be ready for the PBA and be a valuable asset. At the moment, Aguilar is better off learning the ropes from Toroman and playing for Smart-Gilas. In the end, the PBA will benefit from this maturing process.
If Aguilar is forced to play in the PBA and doesn’t impress, the effect will be damaging to his career. Of course, he may prove this theory wrong by dominating as a rookie but that’s not likely.
Meanwhile, there is the matter of compensating Burger King which has Aguilar’s signing rights in the PBA. Perhaps, to ease the pain of his withdrawal, Burger King could be compensated by a team that’s willing to take a chance on Aguilar as a future project. That way, Burger King doesn’t walk away empty-handed unless the Whoppers choose to keep his rights and wait for further developments.
If Aguilar is convinced he isn’t ready for the PBA and would like more court experience with Smart-Gilas, the humane thing to do is to let the kid do his thing. He shouldn’t be branded for life but encouraged to learn from this mistake. He should also be more discerning in listening to advisers who pretend to be well-meaning.
By the way, a similar case involved Danny Ferry in the 1989 NBA draft. He was picked second overall by the Los Angeles Clippers but refused to play for the team. Ferry spurned the Clippers and played a season in the Italian league. The Clippers soon gave up on Ferry and traded his rights to the Cleveland Cavs who signed the center a year later.
Note that the NBA didn’t slap a lifetime ban on Ferry even if the former Duke star applied for the draft and was actually picked.
In Aguilar’s case, maybe Talk ‘N’ Talk could trade for his rights. Because of common ownership with Smart-Gilas, the Tropang Texters may choose to sit out Aguilar and allow him to play for Toroman. This way, Burger King is compensated via the trade, Aguilar gets his wish to gain more court experience outside the PBA, Smart-Gilas is reinforced by a major recruit and the PBA still keeps Aguilar in its rolls through Talk ‘N’ Text.
Monday, August 31, 2009
SBP hands-off on Aguilar controversy
source: June Navarro, Cedelf P. Tupas | sports.inquirer.net
The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas is keeping its hands off the Japeth Aguilar-Burger King issue.
Amid calls by a Philippine Basketball Association official for the country’s ruling basketball body to clarify its stand on the latest hoop controversy, the SBP—which stands to gain the most if Aguilar insists on leaving Burger King —said, through a source, that it will wait for a resolution of the row before releasing any statement.
“As far as I know, the SBP is not yet ready to offer a contract unless Japeth and Burger King come up with a decision on their dispute,” said the source.
“It’s really a very sensitive issue and the SBP does not want to get involved.”
No other SBP official has made any comment on the Aguilar controversy.
PBA chair Lito Alvarez, also the board representative of Burger King, said he is confused over the continued silence of the SBP, whose stand on the issue could break the impasse.
“The SBP stand, especially that of executive director Noli Eala is the key to this issue,” said Alvarez, whose team made the 6-foot-9 former Western Kentucky forward the top pick in the recent PBA Rookie Draft.
“I do not understand why the SBP is keeping quiet on this,” Alvarez told the Inquirer. “Their silence is the one giving rise to many speculations. All they have to do is tell Japeth to honor his commitment with the PBA. Noli Eala should know that because he was once commissioner of the PBA.”
Aguilar last week announced through his agent, sports columnist-broadcaster Ronnie Nathanielsz, his decision to leave Burger King to play for the Smart Gilas national team.
The Whoppers, Alvarez said, had offered Aguilar a three-year contract worth P8.7 million on top of an assurance he would be allowed to play for Smart Gilas.
Alvarez remained hopeful Aguilar would still change his mind, even as certain members of the PBA board raised the possibility of punishing the player with stiff sanctions or a lifetime ban.
Aguilar’s case recalled a similar controversy in 2005 when Alex Cabagnot, after being picked No. 2 by Sta. Lucia Realty, returned to Hawaii with a plan to spurn the Realtors for good.
Threatened with a lifetime ban, Cabagnot changed his mind and signed up with SLR, which later dealt him to Coca-Cola.
Eala was the PBA commissioner then.
Aguilar was a personal choice of national coach Yeng Guiao as top pick for Burger King when the former US NCAA player announced he was ready to turn pro during the Powerade-Pilipinas campaign in the Jones Cup last July.
Although described by Guiao, also the Burger King coach, as the next most important big man in the PBA, Aguilar was used sparingly in the Powerade-Pilipinas stint in the Fiba Asia championship where the Nationals finished eighth.
Nathanielsz said they have yet to get in touch with the SBP to discuss a contract for Aguilar.
“We want the issue with Burger King settled first,” Nathanielsz said.
Alvarez said the controversy could have an “impact” in the relationship of the SBP and the PBA, which he said is an “active member” of the federation.
“We don’t want the relationship of the PBA and SBP to be strained,” added Alvarez, noting that SBP president Manny V. Pangilinan and SBP vice president Ricky Vargas are part of the PBA family.
The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas is keeping its hands off the Japeth Aguilar-Burger King issue.
Amid calls by a Philippine Basketball Association official for the country’s ruling basketball body to clarify its stand on the latest hoop controversy, the SBP—which stands to gain the most if Aguilar insists on leaving Burger King —said, through a source, that it will wait for a resolution of the row before releasing any statement.
“As far as I know, the SBP is not yet ready to offer a contract unless Japeth and Burger King come up with a decision on their dispute,” said the source.
“It’s really a very sensitive issue and the SBP does not want to get involved.”
No other SBP official has made any comment on the Aguilar controversy.
PBA chair Lito Alvarez, also the board representative of Burger King, said he is confused over the continued silence of the SBP, whose stand on the issue could break the impasse.
“The SBP stand, especially that of executive director Noli Eala is the key to this issue,” said Alvarez, whose team made the 6-foot-9 former Western Kentucky forward the top pick in the recent PBA Rookie Draft.
“I do not understand why the SBP is keeping quiet on this,” Alvarez told the Inquirer. “Their silence is the one giving rise to many speculations. All they have to do is tell Japeth to honor his commitment with the PBA. Noli Eala should know that because he was once commissioner of the PBA.”
Aguilar last week announced through his agent, sports columnist-broadcaster Ronnie Nathanielsz, his decision to leave Burger King to play for the Smart Gilas national team.
The Whoppers, Alvarez said, had offered Aguilar a three-year contract worth P8.7 million on top of an assurance he would be allowed to play for Smart Gilas.
Alvarez remained hopeful Aguilar would still change his mind, even as certain members of the PBA board raised the possibility of punishing the player with stiff sanctions or a lifetime ban.
Aguilar’s case recalled a similar controversy in 2005 when Alex Cabagnot, after being picked No. 2 by Sta. Lucia Realty, returned to Hawaii with a plan to spurn the Realtors for good.
Threatened with a lifetime ban, Cabagnot changed his mind and signed up with SLR, which later dealt him to Coca-Cola.
Eala was the PBA commissioner then.
Aguilar was a personal choice of national coach Yeng Guiao as top pick for Burger King when the former US NCAA player announced he was ready to turn pro during the Powerade-Pilipinas campaign in the Jones Cup last July.
Although described by Guiao, also the Burger King coach, as the next most important big man in the PBA, Aguilar was used sparingly in the Powerade-Pilipinas stint in the Fiba Asia championship where the Nationals finished eighth.
Nathanielsz said they have yet to get in touch with the SBP to discuss a contract for Aguilar.
“We want the issue with Burger King settled first,” Nathanielsz said.
Alvarez said the controversy could have an “impact” in the relationship of the SBP and the PBA, which he said is an “active member” of the federation.
“We don’t want the relationship of the PBA and SBP to be strained,” added Alvarez, noting that SBP president Manny V. Pangilinan and SBP vice president Ricky Vargas are part of the PBA family.
I want to play for RP, Aguilar says joining PBA draft a mistake
source: Waylon Galvez | mb.com.ph
Celebrated amateur Japeth Aguilar Monday said he wants to play for Smart-Gilas national team and is ready to face a possible lifetime ban from the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).
Aguilar, the 22-year-old son of former PBA player Peter, said he’s sorry that he can’t sign up with Burger King, the team that made him the top pick in the recent PBA Rookie Draft.
“I mean... probably it was a mistake (to join the PBA draft),” the 6-foot-10 Aguilar said in press conference held at the Kamayan Restaurant in EDSA. “I’m sorry (to Burger King and the PBA) for my decision.”
Aguilar’s change of heart has drawn a sharp rebuke from Burger King representative and incoming PBA chairman Lito Alvarez who wants the former Blue Eagle banned for life from the league.
“If that’s their decision, wala ako magagawa. Kung ban ako siguro sa national team na lang ako mag-lalaro (in the future),” said Aguilar who was accompanied by sports columnist Ronnie Nathanielz.
Aguilar said his decision to stay as amateur had nothing to do with his limited playing time in the recent FIBA-Asia championship in Tianjin, China.
“Sa puso ko talaga, ‘yun talaga ang gusto ko. I don’t know what my critics are saying,” Aguilar said. “But after graduating, gusto ko talaga maglaro for my country. I already consulted my family and they are supporting me.”
His parents, Peter and Josephine, are based in Chicago, Illinois.
Money is not an issue, according to Aguilar.
After his stint in Tianjin, Aguilar said he realized that he can improve more playing international basketball as a member of the national team.
The Smart-Gilas squad, mentored by Serbian Rajko Toroman, is slated to play a number of international tournaments leading up to its goal of qualifying for the 2012 London Olympics.
Aguilar had turned down the offer of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) similar to the three-year, P8.7 million deal from Burger King.
But Nathanielz, who represents Aguilar, said he expects the SBP to renew its offer.
There is no provision in the PBA charter banning a player for refusing to sign up with the team that drafted him, according to Nathanielz.
Nathanielz said that if the league amends its by-laws and constitution, “it’s not retroactive.”
The veteran columnist-turned agent said there are remedies to the issue.
He said that Aguilar can sit out the first year, and Burger King can renegotiate after the season. If there’s no deal, he can sit out anew in the second year and then renegotiate at the end of the season.
If again the two camps fail to reach an agreement, the player becomes eligible for the 2012 PBA Rookie Draft.
Aguilar was set to fly to the United States last night to visit his parents as well as fiancée Jessica Magley, who he plan to marry next year.
The two met at Western Kentucky University, where Aguilar played the last three years. Magley, who stands 5-foot-11, also played college ball.
Aguilar said playing in the PBA after his stint with the national team remains an option. He’s also eyeing a possible stint in the Euro league or the NBA developmental league.
Aguilar is hoping that the PBA will allow him to play for Smart-Gilas in the coming PBA season.
Alvarez and Burger King coach Yeng Guiao could not be reached for comment. Calls to PBA Commissioner Sonny Barrios were not answered.
Celebrated amateur Japeth Aguilar Monday said he wants to play for Smart-Gilas national team and is ready to face a possible lifetime ban from the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).
Aguilar, the 22-year-old son of former PBA player Peter, said he’s sorry that he can’t sign up with Burger King, the team that made him the top pick in the recent PBA Rookie Draft.
“I mean... probably it was a mistake (to join the PBA draft),” the 6-foot-10 Aguilar said in press conference held at the Kamayan Restaurant in EDSA. “I’m sorry (to Burger King and the PBA) for my decision.”
Aguilar’s change of heart has drawn a sharp rebuke from Burger King representative and incoming PBA chairman Lito Alvarez who wants the former Blue Eagle banned for life from the league.
“If that’s their decision, wala ako magagawa. Kung ban ako siguro sa national team na lang ako mag-lalaro (in the future),” said Aguilar who was accompanied by sports columnist Ronnie Nathanielz.
Aguilar said his decision to stay as amateur had nothing to do with his limited playing time in the recent FIBA-Asia championship in Tianjin, China.
“Sa puso ko talaga, ‘yun talaga ang gusto ko. I don’t know what my critics are saying,” Aguilar said. “But after graduating, gusto ko talaga maglaro for my country. I already consulted my family and they are supporting me.”
His parents, Peter and Josephine, are based in Chicago, Illinois.
Money is not an issue, according to Aguilar.
After his stint in Tianjin, Aguilar said he realized that he can improve more playing international basketball as a member of the national team.
The Smart-Gilas squad, mentored by Serbian Rajko Toroman, is slated to play a number of international tournaments leading up to its goal of qualifying for the 2012 London Olympics.
Aguilar had turned down the offer of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) similar to the three-year, P8.7 million deal from Burger King.
But Nathanielz, who represents Aguilar, said he expects the SBP to renew its offer.
There is no provision in the PBA charter banning a player for refusing to sign up with the team that drafted him, according to Nathanielz.
Nathanielz said that if the league amends its by-laws and constitution, “it’s not retroactive.”
The veteran columnist-turned agent said there are remedies to the issue.
He said that Aguilar can sit out the first year, and Burger King can renegotiate after the season. If there’s no deal, he can sit out anew in the second year and then renegotiate at the end of the season.
If again the two camps fail to reach an agreement, the player becomes eligible for the 2012 PBA Rookie Draft.
Aguilar was set to fly to the United States last night to visit his parents as well as fiancée Jessica Magley, who he plan to marry next year.
The two met at Western Kentucky University, where Aguilar played the last three years. Magley, who stands 5-foot-11, also played college ball.
Aguilar said playing in the PBA after his stint with the national team remains an option. He’s also eyeing a possible stint in the Euro league or the NBA developmental league.
Aguilar is hoping that the PBA will allow him to play for Smart-Gilas in the coming PBA season.
Alvarez and Burger King coach Yeng Guiao could not be reached for comment. Calls to PBA Commissioner Sonny Barrios were not answered.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Playing the waiting game
source: Rick Olivares | /businessmirror.com.ph
All seemed quiet a day after Japeth Aguilar’s representatives engaged in a sort of a tug o’ war with Burger King management.
Perhaps because the crisis is being managed with care so much so that the six-foot-nine, 22-year-old No. 1 draft pick would be eventually convinced to don a Whopper jersey come the Philippine Cup of the 35th Philippine Basketball Association season in October.
“Nothing has been finalized. We will see where this goes,” said Ronnie Nathanielsz, a newspaper columnist and sports broadcaster who is said to be Aguilar’s manager.
Yeng Guiao, the Burger King head coach who wanted to win his first All-Filipino crown with Aguilar on the Whopper roster, left the decision to his team’s management.
“I will leave this to Lito Alvarez to sort out. If Japeth signs with us then we will welcome him to our team because as you know, we could use a talent like him for the PBA wars,” he said.
Alvarez is Burger King’s representative to the PBA board. He is also the 35th season league chairman.
Aguilar, represented by Nathanielsz and his father Peter, a former pro, reportedly did not sign any contracts with Burger King when his camp met with Alvarez on Wednesday afternoon in Makati. The elder Aguilar is in the US but actively participated in the negotiations through telephone.
The young center apparently was turned off with how Guiao handled him during the Fiba-Asia Championship in Tianjin, China. Aguilar was sparingly used, especially against the powerhouse teams Iran, Jordan and even Korea.
Guiao earlier reasoned out Aguilar was not ripe for the Tianjin tournament—although he has repeatedly described the former Ateneo Blue Eagle as the “next dominant big man in the PBA.”
The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas has been openly expressing its interest for Aguilar to join the Smart-Gilas developmental team full-time. As a result, speculations are rife he is headed toward that direction.
All seemed quiet a day after Japeth Aguilar’s representatives engaged in a sort of a tug o’ war with Burger King management.
Perhaps because the crisis is being managed with care so much so that the six-foot-nine, 22-year-old No. 1 draft pick would be eventually convinced to don a Whopper jersey come the Philippine Cup of the 35th Philippine Basketball Association season in October.
“Nothing has been finalized. We will see where this goes,” said Ronnie Nathanielsz, a newspaper columnist and sports broadcaster who is said to be Aguilar’s manager.
Yeng Guiao, the Burger King head coach who wanted to win his first All-Filipino crown with Aguilar on the Whopper roster, left the decision to his team’s management.
“I will leave this to Lito Alvarez to sort out. If Japeth signs with us then we will welcome him to our team because as you know, we could use a talent like him for the PBA wars,” he said.
Alvarez is Burger King’s representative to the PBA board. He is also the 35th season league chairman.
Aguilar, represented by Nathanielsz and his father Peter, a former pro, reportedly did not sign any contracts with Burger King when his camp met with Alvarez on Wednesday afternoon in Makati. The elder Aguilar is in the US but actively participated in the negotiations through telephone.
The young center apparently was turned off with how Guiao handled him during the Fiba-Asia Championship in Tianjin, China. Aguilar was sparingly used, especially against the powerhouse teams Iran, Jordan and even Korea.
Guiao earlier reasoned out Aguilar was not ripe for the Tianjin tournament—although he has repeatedly described the former Ateneo Blue Eagle as the “next dominant big man in the PBA.”
The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas has been openly expressing its interest for Aguilar to join the Smart-Gilas developmental team full-time. As a result, speculations are rife he is headed toward that direction.
Aguilar hurt by coach’s snub in FIBA tilt?
source: Waylon Galvez | mb.com.ph
Japeth Aguilar remained unheard from after reports circulated that 6-foot-10 former Ateneo Blue Eagle who was drafted first overall in the recent PBA draft by Burger King might dump his team Burger King and join the all-amateur Smart-Gilas national development team of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.
The report was triggered by his refusal to sign a contract with Burger King which has offered him the maximum P8.7-million over three years.
The reason, according to sources, is not about money. Rather, it was the way he was treated by the Philippine team coaching staff headed by Yeng Guiao during the FIBA-Asia championship in China.
If this were true, it would be ironic since it was Guiao who insisted on Burger King management to take him as No. 1 overall pick.
Aguilar, who has been courted heavily by both the PBA and the SBP, was said to be unhappy over his limited playing time during the FIBA-sponsored tournament.
Calls to Aguilar to confirm the reports were not answered. Burger King official and PBA chairman Lito Alvarez and coach Yeng Guiao also could not be reached for comment.
SBP executive-director Noli Eala said they have not been in contact with the Western Kentucky University standout, although he had said earlier that the SBP door is wide open for Aguilar.
“We have no comment on that,” Eala said. “We have not talked to Japeth, or his father Peter (Aguilar), or his representatives.”
A number of prized rookies have signed contracts with their respective teams, including Rico Maierhofer of Purefoods and Jervy Cruz of Rain or Shine.
Aguilar had been offered a three-year deal by the SBP to join Smart-Gilas before the draft, but he opted to join the PBA last August 1.
In the event he does not sign with Burger King, Aguilar, will be barred from playing with any PBA ballclub, but he can play with any other team outside of the PBA.
Japeth Aguilar remained unheard from after reports circulated that 6-foot-10 former Ateneo Blue Eagle who was drafted first overall in the recent PBA draft by Burger King might dump his team Burger King and join the all-amateur Smart-Gilas national development team of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.
The report was triggered by his refusal to sign a contract with Burger King which has offered him the maximum P8.7-million over three years.
The reason, according to sources, is not about money. Rather, it was the way he was treated by the Philippine team coaching staff headed by Yeng Guiao during the FIBA-Asia championship in China.
If this were true, it would be ironic since it was Guiao who insisted on Burger King management to take him as No. 1 overall pick.
Aguilar, who has been courted heavily by both the PBA and the SBP, was said to be unhappy over his limited playing time during the FIBA-sponsored tournament.
Calls to Aguilar to confirm the reports were not answered. Burger King official and PBA chairman Lito Alvarez and coach Yeng Guiao also could not be reached for comment.
SBP executive-director Noli Eala said they have not been in contact with the Western Kentucky University standout, although he had said earlier that the SBP door is wide open for Aguilar.
“We have no comment on that,” Eala said. “We have not talked to Japeth, or his father Peter (Aguilar), or his representatives.”
A number of prized rookies have signed contracts with their respective teams, including Rico Maierhofer of Purefoods and Jervy Cruz of Rain or Shine.
Aguilar had been offered a three-year deal by the SBP to join Smart-Gilas before the draft, but he opted to join the PBA last August 1.
In the event he does not sign with Burger King, Aguilar, will be barred from playing with any PBA ballclub, but he can play with any other team outside of the PBA.
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