Japeth returns to Smart Gilas

MANILA, Philippines - After playing just one game with Burger King, top PBA draftee Japeth Aguilar is returning to the Smart Gilas team.

Burger King top official Lito Alvarez announced the new development to the Whoppers in a huddle after the team took an 80-93 defeat to the Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants in the kickoff game of the 2009-2010 KFC PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum last Sunday.

“Mr. Alvarez thanked Japeth for becoming a part of the team then announced what’s apparently a prior arrangement. I don’t know the details but I think Japeth is going back to Smart Gilas,” BK coach Yeng Guiao told The STAR.

“I was asked by our boss of my opinion and I said it’s up to them to make the decision. This may really be the best solution to the problem. Now it’s closed and the distraction is over,” Guiao said.

“For sure, our boss will not give away Japeth without getting anything in return. In the end, everybody’s happy. It’s better than Japeth playing for us but he’s not happy,” said Guiao.

Alvarez had earlier said his main concern was to keep integrity of the PBA draft system.

There was no official statement from Alvarez despite repeated calls from The STAR. It was Alvarez who pursued the top amateur draft pick to honor his commitment to the team and at one time raised the threat of lifetime ban on Aguilar.

Alvarez apparently made an arrangement with the Smart-PLDT group, getting Aguilar to play one game with the Whoppers then immediately dealing him back to the Gilas team.

Since Gilas is not a PBA member ballclub, Burger King is taking the Talk n Text route to send Aguilar back to Gilas.

And since Burger King and Talk n Text are considered sister teams under the Manny V. Pangilinan group, Barako Bull will reportedly be used as the conduit in the BK-TNT trade transaction.

BK is getting future draft picks with monetary consideration likely to be part of the deal.

“We’ll be okay without Japeth. We’ve made preparations for the season without him,” said Guiao.

Aguilar is expected to show up with the Gilas team as it plays its first game as guest team in the all-Filipino tourney versus the Whoppers themselves on Friday, also at the Big Dome.

With only one practice with the Whoppers, Aguilar struggled in his pro debut, humbled by Purefoods new recruit Rafi Reavis.

He made 10 points on 2-of-7 field-goal shooting and 6-of-10 free throws.

“I don’t know what their plan with Japeth is. But Peter (Japeth’s US-based father) made it clear, Japeth’s playing for Smart Gilas,” said veteran newsman Ronnie Nathanielzs, the agent-manager of the controversial player.

Meanwhile, Coke has acquired Wesley Gonzales from the free agent pool to boost its roster.