Philippine Sports News and Updates

Former Ateneo and Western Kentucky University center Japeth Aguilar will decide whether or not to join the PBA draft this year after playing in the NBDL camp starting June 19 but is making himself available for the Philippine team of either Yeng Guiao or Rajko Toroman.

Aguilar, 22, has committed to join Guiao’s national squad which will represent the country in the FIBA-Asia Championships in Tianjin, China, on Aug. 6-16 if he is enlisted. Guiao excluded Aguilar from the 12-man team that will try to book a ticket to Tianjin via the SEABA Championships in Medan, Indonesia, on June 6-10.

But SBP executive director Noli Eala said yesterday Toroman has also invited Aguilar to join the Smart Gilas developmental team that will wear the national colors at the Asian Games in Guangzhou, China, on Nov. 11-27 next year.

Eala said playing for both national squads will be a boost to Aguilar’s career and saw no impediment in suiting up for Smart Gilas under Toroman and Powerade under Guiao. However, if Aguilar inks a three-year contract with Smart Gilas, he will automatically forego applying for the PBA draft until after the 2012 London Olympics.

“It’s no problem with the SBP if Japeth plays for both Rajko and Yeng,” said Eala. “Japeth’s father Peter has confirmed a commitment to play for Yeng. And Japeth confided in Chris (Tiu) that he’d like to play for Rajko, too. My worry is if Japeth plays for Powerade, what happens if he gets injured? With Smart Gilas, we’re offering a three-year commitment with an option to leave if he is ever called up to play in the NBA or the Euroleague.”

Eala said Aguilar has been offered a firm contract by Smart Gilas but declined to provide details of the terms. Aguilar was also offered a contract by Powerade with a reported salary of P150,000 a month for three months.

“Japeth is very close with two Serbian players in Western Kentucky and they’ve spoken highly of Rajko whose reputation in Serbia is glowing,” continued Eala. “I think Japeth would really like to play with us.”

Eala said he is hoping Japeth will follow his father’s career path.

“Peter knows the Northern Cement program of the ’80s under Ambassador Cojuangco because he was part of it,” said Eala. “After maturing with the national team, he joined the pros and played five years. We’re applying the same formula that was so successful with Northern Cement. We’re hoping Japeth will do as his father did. He’ll be more than ready to dominate in the PBA after playing three years with Rajko.”

Eala said he’s convinced Aguilar is the real thing.

The 6-9, 225-pound Aguilar showed up at Smart Gilas’ Fil-Am camp in Las Vegas last month and impressed the coaching staff, particularly Toroman. He compiled 15 points, five rebounds and two blocked shots in Smart Gilas’ 108-98 win over the Las Vegas Aces during the camp.

“Japeth’s come of age,” said Eala. “He’s amazing. He has quickness and agility. He’s strong and athletic. He’s aggressive and unstoppable close to the basket. In Las Vegas, he did a slam dunk exhibition where he threw the ball from back of the board, caught it in front of the rim and stuffed it in on the reverse. Rajko believes he’s ready for the Euroleague and he can be the first Filipino to play in Europe. Japeth has dreams of someday playing in the NBA. His girlfriend’s father used to work for an NBA team as a scout and he’d like to prove he can play in the majors. The problem is Japeth’s stats at Western Kentucky weren’t outstanding because he hardly got playing time. Rajko wants to expose him to international scouts. He’s confident once the scouts see how he plays, Japeth will be picked up.”

This past season, Aguilar averaged only 1.5 points and 5.1 minutes in 14 games for Western Kentucky with 20 DNPs (Did Not Play). The year before, he played in only three games.

Eala said Aguilar planned to fly to Manila this month for the chance to play for Powerade at the SEABA Championships then return to the US on June 13 to get ready for the NBDL camp. But without the benefit of practicing with the all-pro squad, Aguilar decided to stay in the US as Guiao stuck to a PBA selection for the Medan tournament.

• Philstar
• Philippine Sports Central