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Williams’ case similar to Japeth Aguilar issue


The Japeth Aguilar saga has been opened up once again. This developed following reports that Sta. Lucia Realty forward Kelly Williams is reportedly being offered to be traded to Talk N Text, which in return, will loan the former Philippine Basketball Association Most Valuable Player to the Smart-Gilas national developmental team. But PBA Commissioner Sonny Barrios said that the Aguilar case “is a special one and will not become a precedent setting as what the PBA board had agreed."

Sta. Lucia's Kelly Williams, (left), is seriously being wooed by Smart-Gilas and Talk N Text. GMANews.TV
“It’s a special case. What happened with the Aguilar issue cannot be used as a precedent and we have all agreed to that," said Barrios. “The case of Williams, if ever it pushes through, is a different matter." Aguilar was this season’s top overall pick in the PBA Rookie Draft, but the 6-foot-9, son of former PBA player Peter Aguilar, became controversial when he suddenly turned his back from the pro league and decided to bring his stuff with the Smart-Gilas squad. The former Western Kentucky University stalwart also played for the PBA-backed Powerade-Pilipinas men’s basketball team that finished eighth in last year’s FIBA Asia Championship. The squad was handled by Yeng Guiao, who also was his coach with Burger King, the team that made him the No.1 overall rookie pick. Aguilar was nearly banned from playing in the PBA for his actions, but Burger King/Air21 management headed by Lito Alvarez and the Manny V. Pangilinan-led Smart Communications decided to come up with a compromised agreement. The young cager honored his commitment with Burger King by playing for the squad in its first PBA game this season, but was traded to the Tropang Texters after one game in exchange for Yancy de Ocampo, Ren Ren Ritualo and two future picks. “What happened there was that Japeth honored his commitment by playing with Burger King for one game, then he was traded to the Tropang Texters and all parties involved agreed to that," added Barrios. A clause was also made clear in the agreement that Aguilar will not be allowed to play for the Tropang Texters until the time he has already fulfilled his commitment with the national developmental team coached by Rajko Toroman. “This means that Talk N Text cannot use Japeth right away," said Barrios. “He can only play with the Tropang Texters only after the 2011 FIBA Asia Championship and if ever the Philippines qualified to the 2012 London Olympics, he will only play after the Olympics." - Rey Joble, GMANews.TV
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