The Final Score: Team Japeth and the Power of Choice

It took Olsen Racela over 750 games and 16 seasons to play for two teams in the PBA. It took Alvin Patrimonio 857 games and 17 seasons to see action for just one PBA team. Why did these gentlemen take so long? Japeth Aguilar is about to sign-up for four teams after just one game and less than five working days. They say the world can change in a New York moment. Fans now realize how basketball can likewise go upside-down in a Japeth Aguilar minute.

After playing just one game for Burger King, Aguilar is set to return to Smart Gilas through a three-team transaction. Since Talk ‘N Text owner Manny Pangilinan also owns a share of Burger King, Talk ‘N Text and Burger King are prohibited from trading players directly. To ensure the safe passage of Japeth from the Whoppers back to Gilas, three teams must form a long, complicated bridge for the 6-foot-9 rookie. Aguilar surely takes all the controversy in stride. A gentle soul who moves swiftly from team to team, he’s used to the itinerant lifestyle. As colleague Jude Turcuato pointed out, Aguilar has played in at least seven teams in the last seven years. After playing high school basketball in Mapua, he suited up for Ateneo in college. He finished his collegiate career in Western Kentucky University in the US NCAA. He joined Powerade-Team Pilipinas in the FIBA-Asia Championships last August. Aguilar decided to forego his PBA stint and joined Smart Gilas. After weeks of speculation, he finally signed his first PBA contract and played one game for Burger King last October 11. He’s about to join Barako Bull and, then, transfer to Talk ‘N Text on paper. His journey ends when Talk ‘N Text sends him back to Smart Gilas. If you haven’t lost count, Aguilar will suit up for his ninth team in the last seven years. Frankly, I’d rather see him play alongside CJ Giles for Smart Gilas. He just seems more at home with Coach Rajko Toroman’s system. To watch Aguilar, 6-foot-9, and Giles, 6-foot-11, set double picks, swat shots and finish alley-hoop slams is quite the experience. I dread the alternative. It will be a sad sight to watch a prized, towering rookie drag his feet game after game to the beat of a system he doesn’t really believe in. While others can’t understand why Japeth refuses to sit still, I recognize what Team Japeth is trying to accomplish. It is merely exercising the power to choose. Those who have few options are forced to sign the first contract they see. Team Japeth doesn’t face such limitations. They have leverage (the potential of Japeth to become a franchise player like no other) and willing backers (basketball executives eager to snare a franchise player like no other). They also face an uphill climb. It took Racela and Patrimonio years to cement their legacy. I wonder how long it’ll take for Aguilar to justify the muddle Team Japeth has created. – GMANews.TV