The Hulabaloo Over Japeth

     By now, every basketball die hard in the Philippines has heard of the "Japeth Aguilar Controversy."  Aguilar, the Philippine Basketball Association's (PBA) first overall pick of this year, has announced his decision to not sign with the Burger King Whoppers in favor of playing for the Smart Gilas Philippine National Basketball Team.  This has led the Whoppers, headed by its governor, Lito Alvarez, to lead a call for Aguilar's lifetime ban from the PBA, claiming that Aguilar is, "making a mockery," of Asia's oldest professional basketball league.  Now, fingers are being pointed, and factions are beginning to form.  Who really is to blame here and who can resolve this matter?  Well, for all the finger pointing going on, I think let's all be honest and point to the only man who could've started this and the only one who can resolve it.  Manny V. Pangilinan.

Is Aguilar Evil?

     Aguilar's sudden change of heart is what gets Alvarez' goat and I have to say, it is extremely peculiar for a first overall pick to suddenly decide not to play.  After all, being the overall top pick presumes one will get the maximum salary (over PhP 8 million, three years) and possible endorsement deals.  This peculiarity has the Whoppers calling Aguilar a turncoat, essentially. The question is, though, "Is Japeth that evil?"  

     My gut says no.  Barring any possible rift with Whoppers (and then National Team Coach) Yeng Guiao (Aguilar has denied any rift), I see only one other scenario which would embolden Aguilar to change his mind.  Samahang Baskeball ng Pilipinas (SBP) President Manny Pangilinan is the creator and benefactor of the Smart GIlas team, and he has secured funds to pay all Gilas players salaries which would rival what the players could possibly receive as PBA rookies.  It's entirely likely that Pangilinan has offered Aguilar the same amount (or more likely m

ore) he would receive from the Whoppers.  Along with that, playing with Gilas assures Aguilar of not only star status, but also international exposure as Gilas will officially represent the Philippines in all international competitions, including the FIba Asia and the Asian Games.  For an American College player who still entertains thoughts of playing in the NBA, that kind of exposure is priceless.  

     Think this is all too much of a conspiracy theory?  Consider this.  Aside from being Gilas' benefactor and SBP President, Pangilinan also owns a PBA franchise (Talk and Text Tropang Texters) and is a part owner of the Burger King Whoppers.  Yup. The same team that Aguilar is said to be shafting.  Now, if this was all Aguilar and his agent's (Ronnie "Shoulder Rubber" Nathanielsz) doing, then one would think Pangilinan would be up

 in arms over two of his groups in conflict.  Instead, it has been several days and the man known as MVP has said nothing.

     So is Aguilar evil?  I think Aguilar was presented with enticing options, and he chose the one that enticed him the most.  While he did declare for the draft, he never signed a contract, so he never reneged on any deal.  Besides, it's not like he reneged on the Whoppers to play for another PBA team.  He chose to play for the country and the national team.  How's that for a good reason?

To Ban or Not to Ban

     Let's get real here.  Banning Aguilar forever is a bad bad idea for the PBA.  A 6 foot 11 baller with mad hops and excellent defensive timing, Aguilar is the Philippines' best big man of the future.  Depriving him of a PBA career deprives the PBA of a superstar who will put s

eats in the arena.  Meanwhile, trying to get the ban itself will prove to be a tough task.  The San Miguel-owned teams (San Miguel Beermen, Barangay Ginebra Kings and Purefoods Giants) could care less about the Whoppers, and having Aguilar out for three years means  he will be open to negotiations for other teams.  SMC would never pass on the chance to not only weaken the Whoppers but also have the

chance to snatch Aguilar away.  Meanwhile, I cannot imagine Talk and Text, a Pangilinan owned team, voting to ban Aguilar for joining a Pangilinan sponsored team.  That's four potential votes lost already and given that the other teams would also love the chance to snatch Aguilar for themselves, Alvarez has to face facts that he is screwed.

     Let's be clear here.  Aguilar is no saint.  While he claims his intention has always been to play for the national team, he could have done everyone a favor by not signing up for the draft.  In any case, though, he has broken no rules and as a FIlipino basketball fan, imagining him teaming up with C.J. GIles, Chris Tiu, Andy Barroca and Dylan Ababou in a team coached by Rajko Toroman excites the heck out of me.  I can wait for Aguilar's PBA debut for three years if it means we go deeper in future international tournaments.  As for the PBA's integrity?  Oh please. The league has been around for over thirty years.  They'll live.

photos courtesy of forums.interbasket.net and yumipitz.blogspot.com