Japeth faces lifetime ban
MANILA, Philippines - Japeth Aguilar, the PBA top draftee, has decided to join the Smart Gilas team, foregoing his stint with Burger King despite threat of a lifetime ban from the pro league.
“He’s made a decision. He’ll not sign up with Burger King. He’ll play for the country,” said veteran newsman Ronnie Nathanielsz, representing the 6-foot-9 cager as agent.
“They (Burger King officials) said they would move for Japeth to be banned from the league but Japeth and his father said bahala na sila (let them be),’” Nathanielsz added.
Nathanielsz told The STAR that the Tianjin FIBA-Asia experience was an eye-opener for the prized rookie on his role on the future RP team which prompted him to offer his services to Smart Gilas.
Nathanielsz also said Aguilar has nothing against coach Yeng Guiao or the limited minutes he played in the Tianjin joust.
“He saw in Tianjin that he’ll be needed by Smart Gilas. He just wants to help the country,” said Nathanielsz.
The veteran newsman, a PBA long-timer, believes there’s no provision in the PBA by-laws that would close the door on Aguilar when he decides to rejoin the league.
Burger King top official Lito Alvarez, however, said the PBA board will impose severe sanction on the player.
“They’re making a mockery of a 35-year-old organization. I will not take this sitting down and I don’t think the PBA board will let it pass,” said Alvarez, the current PBA chair.
“He shouldn’t have joined the draft in the first place if he wants to play for Smart Gilas. Now that he joined the draft, he’s bound to comply with the rules,” Alvarez said. “I have offered Japeth a three-year maximum contract for a PBA rookie.”
Nathanielsz informed Alvarez of their plan as early as Wednesday. Alvarez, in turn, advised Nathanielsz to first consult with the parents of the player and with the league commissioner.
The BK top honcho thinks the player was ill advised on his decision not to turn pro.
“They’ll get to enjoy the best of both worlds in my offer since I’m giving him the maximum contract for three years and I’m allowing him to play for Smart Gilas on the side,” said Alvarez.
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Well done Japeth
I'm sure with your talent, you will go far.Go Philippines all the way!!
PBA is becoming too commercial.
Rename PBA to PBE
Please rename PBA to PBE ( Philippine Basketball of Entertainers)
PBA does not help in the development of basketball instead they become hindrance to its growth.
Hwag kang maniwala sa PBA mga
Hwag kang maniwala sa PBA mga bakla lang ang naglalaro sa PBA. Sa SMART Gilas ka para ma achieve mo ang NBA dream playing internationally would make you scouted by NBA or Euroleague scouts. In PBA walang foreign scouts na pumupunta dahil di pang international standard ang basketball game sa PBA.
for the country
Puro Money, money, money...country, country, country naman. If he wants to play to give us a chance back in basketball glory, then let him, even if just for a while. Contracts can easily be revised.
BAN JAPETH and IM 100% SURE MAS KONTI NA LANG MANONOOD SA PBA!
yun lang nasa subject ko na gusto kong sabihen
so what if I-BAN ka Japeth?
marami ka namang options eh.. eh beside you will not improve in the PBA dahil ang PBA eh pabagsak na puro PORMA lang mga players pagdating ng international compeition banban naman... sino mga babantayan mo? eh mas maliliit pa sayo mga centers na makakalaban mo... Toroman can refer you to EUROLEAGUE don sigurado malalaman tunay na galing mo to play with the best of the best ofcourse I-AIM mo ang NBA pa ren pero EUROLEAGUE will be the best for you as of now with your size and talent mag iimprove ka dun for sure. Sana mabasa mo mga comments sayo kase suportado ka ng sambayanan, alam naman namin na SMART GILAS na talaga ang gusto mo sa una pa lang pero nabola ka lang ni KALBO! SMART GILAS will be the best for you and besides pababayaan ka ba naman ni Manny Pangilinan?? boy MVP pa lang buhay ka na at ang pamilya mo.... you will not improve on KALBO's system of PAGMUMURA in order to motivate the players... AIM high target mo EUROLEAGUE and NBA diba mas MASARAP PANOORIN kung nandun ka sa mga ligang yon naglalaro kesa PBA???.... Filipino's will be behind you never mind PBA LAOS na yan pabagsak na coz ang alam lang nila is to play for MONEY! salamat SBP you are sacrificing everything even financially salamat MVP for not just supporting this initiative financially.... napakalaking bagay dahil kahit ano pa sabihin naten gusto ren naman ng mga SMART GILAS players na masuportahan at mabigyan ng magandang buhay ang pamilya na, binigyan niyo ng paraan na mabigyan pa ren ng magandang buhay ang pamilya nila na hindi na kailangang makulong sa PBA.... remember SMART GILAS players yang championship and fame sa PBA madaling makakalimutan yan pero yung glory na sana maabot ninyo pag napadala niyo ulet sa olympics ang Pilipinas yan ang mas maalala....