BK top pick Aguilar opts to play for RP Gilas

Flag and country first, the lure of money in the pro league later. Controversial big man Japeth Aguilar came out with a statement Saturday defending his decision to join the Smart Gilas development team, saying that the delicate, controversial judgment he made arose from his desire to be a part of a successful national team he didn’t achieve with the Powerade-Team Pilipinas.

“When I returned home after graduating from Western Kentucky University it was mainly because I wanted the chance to play for the Philippines in the FIBA Asia Championships and feel the pride that comes from playing for my country," said Aguilar in an e-mail statement forwarded by his agent Ronnie Nathanielz. “Unfortunately it didn’t go too well. But having seen first hand what it was like, how the teams from the Middle East played and the system they followed, I felt the challenge to try again and to take them on, confident that we could surely do better the next time with hard work, dedication and the willingness to sacrifice and learn. “I am prepared to do just that. My father Peter, who also played for the Northern Consolidated national team, wants me to do that and so do the other members of our family. “The only way I can achieve this goal is by playing for the Smart Gilas development team under coach Rajko Toroman provided of course that they accept me since I had initially decided to enter the PBA Annual Draft. I am confident that they will." The 22-year old former Atenean has been in the hot seat for days now after refusing the maximum P8.7 million, three-year contract Burger King, the ball club that made him this year’s top rookie draft pick, offered him. Lito Alvarez, the Whoppers’ team manager and PBA Chairman, said the contract has been prepared a few days after the August 2 rookie draft, with only Aguilar’s signature the missing piece for the deal to be made official. As it turned out, Aguilar made a sharp turn and decided not to play for the Whopper. Unconfirmed reports have it that Nathanielz had a huge part in Aguilar’s unexpected decision. This is the first time since the PBA, now entering its 35th season, has encountered a problem from a rookie refusing to sign a contract in favor of joining a national team, although there was an instance already that Sta. Lucia Realty and Alex Cabagnot did not come to terms because of financial reasons. Knowing fully well the depth of the dilemma, Alvarez said that he had already asked for PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios’ intervention on the matter. Barrios is currently in Baguio City and is expected to tackle the issue when he reports to office on Tuesday. Alvarez, too, is heavily considering that the PBA board discusses the issue. He is pushing for Aguilar to be banned for life if he does not sign with the Whopper, pointing out that the 6-foot-10 center has made a mockery of the PBA rules by not honoring his intention to play in the league the moment he applied for the Draft. Although Aguilar had said in his statement that he is prepared to “sacrifice a career in the pro league with all the glamour and all the perks," unconfirmed reports say that he will get the same amount Burger King offered him with Smart Gilas. Smart Gilas is a developmental team formed by the Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas. Its main mission is to qualify to the 2012 London Olympics, an ambitious program for a country which has not competed in the sport in the quadrennial event since the 1972 Munich Games. While realizing that many have been caught off-guard by his decision, Aguilar said that the experience in Tianjin, China – where the Philippine team finished eighth in the FIBA-Asia qualifying tournament for the World Championships next year – has taught him a lot. “The experience in Tianjin, China, opened my eyes and told me that if I truly want to help my country in international basketball I will have to sacrifice a career in the pro league and join the national pool for the present time. “I will always be grateful to coach Yeng Guiao for the opportunity he gave me to play for the Philippines, Powerade Team Filipinas manager JB Baylon and PBA Commissioner Sonny Barrios for their kindness, understanding and support," said Aguilar. “I trust they will understand that my desire to play for my country means more to me and my family than anything else. I have made the choice with my family’s blessings and encouragement." – GMANews.TV