MANILA – PBA No. 1 draft pick for 2009 Japeth Aguilar made it clear that his decision to play for the national team instead of the Burger King Whoppers is not because of money matters.

Aguilar told ABS-CBN News that it would be impossible for money to be the issue because the offer of Smart Gilas Pilipinas would not have exceeded his offer from Burger King.

Because of his refusal to sign the P8.7 million contract with Burger King, Aguilar could reportedly get a lifetime ban from the PBA.

“I don’t know what’s the rule but if the PBA decides to ban me, I can’t do anything about it,” Aguilar said in a press conference as quoted by The Philippine Star.

Sports analyst Ronnie Nathanielsz, who serves as Aguilar’s agent, said that the imposition of a lifetime ban is not in the PBA constitution.

“There is no rule in the PBA that says they can ban you, and even the bill of rights protects individual right to freedom of choice and this is his choice,” noted Nathanielsz.

“You draft a player and he decides not to play for you. A PBA team drafts a player and the team doesn’t sign him. What’s the difference,” he remarked.

Meanwhile, PBA Commissioner Sonny Barrios said the PBA and its Board of Governors have not yet released an official statement on the matter. He said his office is currently studying the situation.

Playing for country

The top rookie pick also disclosed his plan upon returning from the United States.

“It was really my intention to play for the national team ever since I flew back here after I graduated (from Western Kentucky),” said the 22-year-old son of former PBA cager Peter Aguilar.

“If I have to play in the national team forever, I would accept it,” he added.

Aguilar has already played for the country in last month’s FIBA Asia Championship in Tianjin, China where the Powerade-Team Pilipinas finished 8th.

Prior to his RP team stint, Aguilar played for the Western Kentucky University Hilltoppers in the Division I of the US National Collegiate Athletic Association.

He kicked off his collegiate basketball career in the Philippines as a member of the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles. – With reports from Joey Villar, The Philippine Star and TJ Manotoc, ABS-CBN News