53 APPLICANTS EYE PBA STINT

53 APPLICANTS EYE PBA STINT

A total of 53 hopefuls led by potential top pick Japeth Aguilar made themselves available for Sunday’s Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Rookie Draft at the Market! Market! Place in Taguig.

Other than Aguilar, the only amateur player to be included by national coach Yeng Guiao in the Powerade-Team Pilipinas bound for the FIBA-Asia Men’s Basketball Championship in Tianjin, China, the 2009 class also includes a pair of Most Valuable Player (MVP) awardees, a Finals MVP who played a key role in San Beda’s three straight NCAA men’s basketball championship, a gangling center instrumental in La Salle’s UAAP championship two years ago, a brother of Alaska big man Reynel Hugnatan and a slew of Fil-Am cagers including a nephew of Talk `N Text guard Jimmy Alapag.

The deadline of application ended last Friday, at least a week before the much-awaited event on August 2 that serves as the league’s first official activity for the 2009-2010 season.

Burger King owns this year’s no. 1 overall pick.

All 53 PBA aspirants had been split into four teams and will play in the two-day, eight-game schedule at the Caruncho gym in Pasig City that forms part of the traditional Rookie Camp slated on July 28, 30 and 31.

Teaming up with the 6-foot-9 Aguilar in Group A (yellow) are Pharex stalwarts Ronnie Mathias, Sean Co and Josh Urbiztondo, while PBL MVP Chris Ross, Roel Hugnatan and 2007 UAAP MVP Jervy Cruz spearhead Group B (white).

San Beda star Ogie Menor, La Salle stalwart Rico Maierhofer, Far Eastern University guard Benedict Fernandez and Oracle guard Chris Timberlake stood at the forefront of Group C (blue), while Group D (red) will be led by University of the East’s Marcy Arellano, Jose Rizal University’s James Sena and Kevin White, reportedly related to Alapag.

On the first day of play, Group 1 clashes with Group 3 in first game at 2 p.m., while Group 2 battles Group 4 at 4 p.m.

The final day of the camp is a crossover double header between Group 1 vs. Group 2 (2 p.m.) and Group 3 vs. Group 4 (4 p.m.).

The Rookie Camp starts on July 28 at the Club 650 gym in Libis, Quezon City from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will be supervised by supervisor of officials Ramil Cruz where the prospective rookie hopefuls are subjected in terms of physical aspect, skills and strength evaluation as well as basketball drills.

Failure to attend the camp would automatically scratch the applicant from the final list of rookie picks to be announced by league commissioner Sonny Barrios on July 31.

There will be no camp on the 29th to give way to the coaching clinic to be conducted by Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig starting at 2 p.m.

The complete rookie line ups are as follows:

Group 1 (yellow) – Aguilar, Urbiztondo, Co, Matias, Bryan Faundo, Marlon Adolfo, Charleston Bocias, Kim Macanig, Axel John Doruelo, Jim Viray, Luis Palaganas, Leemore Boliver and Glenn Bolocon.

Group 2 (white) – Cruz, Ross, Hugnatan, Filemon Fernandez III, Orlando Daroya, Richard Saladaga, Dino Daa, Robert Labagala, Jonathan Pinera, Jorel Canizares, Gerry Orera, Ramsey Williams and Jerome Cenita.

Group 3 (blue) – Menor, Maierhofer, Timberlake, Fernandez, John Walsham, Francis Allera, Jemal Vizcarra, Roser Mangahas, Jerby Del Rosario, Charles Water, Floyd Dedicatoria, Edwin Asoro and Jan Philip Villaver.

Group 4 (red) – Sena, Arellano, White, Michael Burtscher, Chris Viardo, Howard Saddi, Hafer Mondragon, Raymond Agular, Allan Evangelista, Andro Quinday, Emmanuel Malasig, Jobe Nkemakola, Mark Benitez and Jonathan Uyloan.

PBA lands ex-Blue Eagle

PBA lands ex-Blue Eagle


TAIPEI – The Blue Eagle has been landed.

A new age dawned in the Philippine Basketball Association Wednesday after one-time Ateneo sophomore Japeth Aguilar decided to follow his father’s footsteps by making himself available in the PBA Annual Draft on Aug. 2 at Market! Market! in Taguig.

After consulting family and friends, the son of former Northern Consolidated center Peter Aguilar gave the green light for his name to be added to the pot at the end of the rainbow.

Aguilar, 22, who signed his application before leaving last week with Powerade Team Pilipinas for the 31st William Jones Cup tournament – but asked to be given some time to come to a final decision – announced his intention during dinner following the game with Lebanon where he scored six points, grabbed eight rebounds and blocked two shots.

“Gusto ko na rin maka-akyat sa susunod na level habang bata pa ‘ko,” the soft-voiced Aguilar told sportswriters in the presence of PBA operations and technical chief Rickie Santos and league media bureau head Willy Marcial.

A hand’s down choice to become the No. 1 pick overall, Aguilar is ordained to wear the crown previously owned by legends like Manny Paner, Ramon Fernandez, Abet Guidaben, Manny Victorino, Jerry Codinera and Benjie Paras – and more recently by Marlou Aquino, Dennis Espino, Danny Ildefonso, Eric Menk, Asi Taulava and Kerby Raymundo.

But unlike the big men who reigned supreme since the PBA’s inception in 1975, the 6-foot-10, 210-pound Aguilar appears to be a cut well above the rest with his slam-dunking and shot-blocking prowess dictated on by a pterodactyl wingspan that would be the envy of the prehistoric characters that rule the Jurassic Park skies.

So mind-boggling is Aguilar’s potential in the PBA starting next season that even national coach Yeng Guiao, a man not known to lavish praises on players, is suffused with awe and wonder at the rare specimen playing for him now.

“Japeth will be the most dominant big man in the PBA ever,” predicted Guiao, whose Burger King Whopper owns the first pick in the coming draft.

Although his mind is preoccupied now with the 25th FIBA Asia Men’s Championship in Tianjin, China next month, Guiao has other matters percolating in the backburner.

“All I’ve asked is for a chance to work on Japeth for at least one conference, and (Whopper) team manager Lito Alvarez has assured me there is no way they’re not going to get him,” said Guiao, who has announced his candidacy for next year’s gubernatorial race in Pampanga, birthplace of the elder Aguilar.

Now in the States, Peter, following his stint with Ron Jacobs’ NCC squad in the ‘80s, played for five PBA ballclubs – Anejo Rum, Alaska, Seven-Up, Sta. Lucia Realty and Shell – from 1989 to 1993.

“Siya lang talaga ang idolo ko sa PBA,” Japeth had said earlier. “Pinapanood ko lagi yung mga tapes niya noon. Kaya gusto ko rin makasunod sa yapak niya.”

PBA commissioner Renauld ‘Sonny’ Barrios, booked to fly in from Manila yesterday afternoon, said Aguilar will be “an asset not only to his team but also to the PBA” while he showcases his basketball talent and skills.

“The PBA family welcomes Japeth to the premier basketball league of the country,” said Barrios. “I wish him all the best as I join all PBA fans in eagerly waiting for his debut in the games this coming October

Japeth samples RP, Burger King, brand of play

Japeth samples RP, Burger King, brand of play

In 24 minutes of shot-blocking highlight against the evangelical Soldiers for Christ Thursday night, Japeth Aguilar showed Powerade Team Pilipinas what he is all about.

And in half that time, three RP team wannabes – Wynne Arboleda, Mark Yee and Beau Belga – showed the 6-foot-9 Aguilar what their PBA ballclub, the Burger King Whopper, is made of.

National coach Yeng Guiao, also the Whopper mentor, wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.

Talk about divine intervention or hitting two birds with one exhibition game.

Aguilar scored 5 of his 8 points in the make-or-break fourth quarter, grabbed six rebounds and blocked four shots overall as the reinforced Nationals narrowly beat the visiting American missionaries, 100-94, at The Arena in San Juan.

With half of the regular RP team roster either preoccupied with the ongoing Motolite-PBA Fiesta Cup Finals, ailing, injured or out of town, only five players – James Yap, Kerby Raymundo, Ranidel de Ocampo, Willie Miller and Arwind Santos – showed up for Aguilar’s debut night.

The quintet, especially Arwind Santos, who scored 22 points and grabbed 13 rebounds, and James Yap (18), didn’t let their new teammate down, hauling the team back from 13 points down in the second quarter and making sure Aguilar’s first public appearance was a memorable one.

But Aguilar has other people to thank for.

Yee and Arboleda combined for 18 points, with the rookie Yee draining 3 of 4 triples (2 in the fourth quarter) and the veteran Arboleda scoring five in the last 10 minutes to go with five rebounds, three steals and two assists.

Yee's triple early in the last quarter broke a 74-all count, and Powerade-RP never relinquished the lead the rest of the way.

Just for comparison: Santos took six 3-point shots and missed five; Yap hoisted 10 and clanged seven. Between them, they accounted for 12 of the Nationals’ 18 missed triples.

And Belga? In 13 minutes, the burly center-forward went 2 for 2 from the field, grabbed five rebounds and blocked two shots.

Little wonder, Guiao had to smile when it was pointed out after the game that his Burger King players saved the day for the Nationals.

“Di naman. This exhibition game was arranged from the point of view of Japeth,” said Guiao, who could have the first crack at the son of former Northern Consolidated center Peter Aguilar in next month’s PBA Rookie Draft.

“It was the first time for him in a game situation so medyo feeling it out pa siya. We have many things in store for Japeth in the coming days.”

Asked later whether he is now inclined to apply for drafting, Aguilar, who has remained noncommittal on his future plans, told a sportswriter: “Why not?”

He maintained, however, that no final decision would be made before the end of this month.

Led by Marcus Morgan, who finished with 21 points, and Wayne Oliver, who drained five 3-point shots, Soldiers for Christ led through most of the first half and the early part of the third before Santos struck for 13 points to help tie the game, 69-all, going to the final 10 minutes.

With their mother ballclubs locked in a best-of-seven series in the Fiesta up Finals, Mick Pennisi (San Miguel Beer) and Jayjay Helterbrand and Cyrus Baguio (Barangay Ginebra) sat out the game along with Rain or Shine’s Gabe Norwood who was ailing.

On hand to watch the game, three weeks before Powerade-RP leaves for the Jones Cup tournament in Taipei , were PBA commissioner Renauld ‘Sonny’ Barrios, PBA vice chairman Lito Alvarez, Samahang Basketbol nng Pilipinas vice chairman Ricky Vargas, SBP secretary-general Patrick Gregorio, Philippine Olympic Committee spokesman Joey Romasanta, and Ateneo athletic director Ricky Palou.

Scores:

POWERADE-RP 100 – Santos 22, Yap 18, Raymundo 13, Arboleda 9, Yee 9, De Ocampo 9, Miller 8, Aguilar 8, Belga 4.

SOLDIERS FOR CHRIST 94 – Morgan 21, Oliver 20, Alexander 17, Mcfadden 13, Amenra 11, Crawford 5, Green 4, Dooley 3, Johnson 0.

Quarters: 13-22; 39-49; 69-69; 100-94

JAPETH AGUILAR FEATURE

JAPETH AGUILAR FEATURE
JUNE 27,2009
Japeth Aguilar, the 6-foot-9 son of former Northern Consolidated center Peter Aguilar, arrived from Chicago without fanfare yesterday, speaking briefly with national coach Yeng Guiao on the phone and making an appearance during the Motolite-PBA Fiesta Cup semifinals before quietly leaving at halftime of Game 5 of the Ginebra-Rain or Shine series.

The 22-year-old former Ateneo sophomore was welcomed as he walked into the playing court by ex-Blue Eagle teammate JC Intal, now with the Barangay Ginebra Kings, early in the Burger King-San Miguel Beer game.

Wearing a plain white t-shirt that seems to hang loosely on his 210-pound frame, Aguilar was later presented by PBA commissioner Renauld ‘Sonny’ Barrios with a blue Powerade Team Pilipinas jacket inside the press room.

He expressed excitement at the prospect of joining RP team practice starting tomorrow at The New Arena in San Juan.

“It’s a team built from major talent in the league and I’m excited to join them,” he told sportswriters during an impromptu press conference.

Guaranteed to be the No. 1 pick in the August PBA Rookie Draft if he decides to turn pro, Aguilar said he remains torn between pursuing his dreams of making it to the NBA, joining the PBA or suiting up for the Smart-Gilas RP team.

“I’m still weighing my options,” Aguilar said. “But my first priority for now is to help coach Yeng’s national team.”

The stress fractured on his right foot that hampered his performance in the US NCAA last year is fully healed, said Aguilar, who nonetheless will be enrolled in a state-of-the-art gym to keep him in shape.

He was originally scheduled to join much earlier the RP team training for the 25th FIBA Asia Men’s Championship in Tianjin China in August.

But Guiao gave him a free pass on learning that Aguilar, a fellow Pampango from Sasmuan, has been invited to the National Basketball Development League camp in Los Angeles which kept him from being a part of the squad that swept the 8th SEABA Men’s Championship in Medan, Indonesia three weeks ago.

“Maganda naman po ang naging performance ko doon,” he said. “Nabanggit nga raw po ako sa ESPN as the most promising for scouts.”

Aguilar, who is engaged to an American girl from Washington, completed his Interdisciplinary Studies at Western Kentucky, and he plans to spend much of his time away from RP team practice catching up with his younger sister Micah, a management graduate at Assumption, and with relatives from both sides of his parents.

His father, Peter, who held the fort for Ron Jacobs’ national squad in the ‘80s, played for five teams in the PBA – Añejo Rum, Alaska, Seven-Up, Sta. Lucia Realty and Shell – from 1989 to 1993, a path the young Aguilar could eventually follow.

Asked what his favorite NBA team is, Japeth replied: “Lakers,” making it natural for him to idolize LA superstar Kobe Bryant.

And what about his favorite PBA player? Does he have any?

“Meron…papa ko,” the young Aguilar said.

A chip off the old block, Japeth Aguilar is, even this early.

JAPETH FLIES IN TOMORROW

Japeth Aguilar, the 6-foot-10 son of former Northern Consolidated center Peter Aguilar, is flying in tomorrow from Chicago, bringing with him a glowing reputation that preceded by months his arrival to be an integral part of Yeng Guiao’s Powerade Team Pilipinas.

No red carpet will be rolled out for Aguilar, who played for Ateneo before hooking up with Western Kentucky in the US NCAA, when he checks in via Korean Air from Seoul at around 11 p.m.

But the door will swing open when he steps into The New Arena in San Juan Monday evening to finally join Asi Taulava and Co. in practice for two important international tournaments – the W. Jones Cup in Taipei from July 18-28 and the FIBA Asia World Championship qualifier in Tianjin, China from Aug. 6-16.

“He can add to the solution of a perennial problem for the RP team – the lack of size and quickness in the 4 and 5 positions,” said Guiao, the national coach.

“Also, the urgent need for a naturalized player will be minimized somewhat with his presence.”

Barring any injury, Guiao believes Aguilar can be the next best homegrown big man in the country for years to come.

“Basically because of his physical attributes, he can dominate,” Guiao said. “We’re just hoping he can stay healthy and contribute to the cause of the national team.”

Guiao has labeled the Jones Cup the “real test” due to the presence of countries like Iran, Jordan, South Korea, Japan, Lebanon and Kazakhstan in the field, and he has called the 25th FIBA Asia Men’s Championship the “real thing” for its overall worth.

The top three finishers in Tianjin will qualify to the 16th World Basketball Championship in Istanbul, Turkey in August 2010.

In last week’s FIBA draw at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Tianjin, Powerade-RP was bracketed in Group A with long-time Asian Games rivals South Korea and Japan, plus Sri Lanka, reviving hopes for a return to the global stage after more than two decades.

Injuries and illness have saddled the RP team’s preparation prior and during the 8th SEABA Men’s Championship in Medan, Indonesia where the Nationals swept the opposition by an average of 38 points.

Forward Kelly Williams was diagnosed with a blood disorder, point guard Jayjay Helterbrand went down with a pulled hamstring and center Sonny Thoss banged up his knee.

Williams stayed behind while Helterbrand and Thoss joined the Medan trip although neither saw action in the games where they later got bench company when playmaker Ryan Reyes pulled his hamstring in the opening match against Malaysia.

Aguilar’s arrival should be welcome relief for Guiao, especially with Williams probably out of it all as he recovers and Reyes still a question mark.

PBA commissioner Renauld ‘Sonny’ Barrios said the league will shoulder Aguilar’s expenses while an aunt will be with him when he scouts for a housing unit in the Makati area.