Aguilar agrees to sign 1-year deal with Whopper

The long wait for Burger King is over after controversial top overall rookie pick Japeth Aguilar finally reached an agreement with the Whopper after two days of long meetings. Aguilar, on Friday, decided to play for Burger King for one year and will be on the Whopper bench when they take on the Purefoods TJ Giants when the PBA opens its 35th season on Sunday at the Big Dome. The 6-foot-9 Aguilar will be wearing jersey No. 18 since his favorite number, 17, is already assigned to forward Aaron Aban.

But regardless of what jersey number Aguilar wears, Burger King team manager and PBA chairman Lito Alvarez expects an exciting early collision between the top two picks in the recent Rookie Draft – Rico Maierhoffer of La Salle was chosen by Purefoods as the No. 2 pick. “That’s very interesting to see. More than just the match up of the two teams that got involved in a lot of trade scenarios, the top two rookies will take center stage," Alvarez told GMANews.TV. But getting Aguilar, according to Alvarez, was done with a lot of convincing as he needed the help of the cager’s camp as well as the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) officials. The SBP-backed Smart Gilas handled by Serbian coach Rajko Toroman will participate as guest team in the coming conference. It was the same team Aguilar played for during the benefit game wherein they dismantled the all-pro Powerade-Pilipinas five of coach Yeng Guiao, who will also be his coach with his mother team in the PBA – Burger King. Alvarez said some terms of Aguilar’s contract will be changed while several things will be up for discussion, one of them is whether he would only suit up for the Lina Group franchise or play simultaneously with Smart Gilas in the Philippine Cup. “He already come to terms with us, but unlike in our initial offer where he is set to receive a three-year, P8.7-million, he will be given a one-year, P1.8-million offer," said Alvarez. “That’s because we know the potential of Japeth and how he aspires to play overseas where he also has lots of opportunities." Alvarez added the SBP played a key role in settling Burger King’s issue with Aguilar. It will be recalled that Aguilar decided not to sign Burger King’s contract offer and instead pursued a career with the Smart Gilas developmental team. “As early as 8:30 a.m. Thursday, Mr. Pangilinan met with us. Minalat na nga ako dahil sa tagal ng meeting namin, but it’s worth the wait," said Alvarez. “We have to postpone the decision as medyo sensitibo talaga eh. Japeth’s parents want him to play for Gilas, but Mr. Pangilinan convinced Japeth that he should come to terms with Burger King as he has become part of the problem, too." “I saw the sincerity on the SBP officials to help resolve the issue and napakalaki ng ginawa nilang papel dito," he added. Alvarez, who succeeded Joaqui Trillo, said that the 22-year-old Aguilar is set to secure a license from the Games and Amusement Board and is scheduled to attend Burger King’s Saturday practice. Asked about the thoughts of being reunited with Aguilar, Guiao feels ordinary. “Parang ordinaryo lang naman eh. Sanay na ako sa sitwasyon na ganito and even mas worse pa nga yung ibang nahawakan, which include players who were head case." “Of course, my policy with the team is no special treatment. I will give him the opportunities necessarily, but he needs to prove his worth," he added. – GMANews.TV