After failing to get Aguilar, SBP eyeing Cebu behemoth

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) executive director Noli Eala on Sunday lamented the decision of amateur standout Japeth Aguilar to turn professional instead of serving the country as member of the Smart-Gilas national team.

“Nanghihinayang kami sa SBP, because he’s got lots of potentials to serve the national team,” Eala said in a telephone interview.

“Masakit man, but we’re ok. We’ve always maintained na kami sa SBP, wala kami pinipilit. If Japeth decides to turn pro, wala kaming magagawa. Because service to the country is not pilitan. We feel that it’s a duty of every Filipino,” Eala added.

The six-foot-10 Aguilar, son of ex-pro Peter Aguilar, applied for the PBA Rookie Draft, that will be held Sunday at the Market! Market! Place in Taguig City.

Aguilar looms as the top overall pick that belongs to Burger King under mentor Joseller “Yeng” Guiao, who also handles Aguilar with the Powerade-Team Pilipinas.

Smart-Gilas, under Serbian coach Rajko Toroman, has offered a three-year deal to Aguilar, who, if he had agreed, would have a similar contract to a PBA rookie. He played several games with Gilas in the US few months back.

However, Aguilar, 22, who played one season for Ateneo in 2005 before he transferred to Western Kentucky University, a Division 1 school in the United States NCAA where he starred for three seasons, decided to make the jump to the PBA Eala said that they will look for other prospects.

One of them is University of Cebu’s Junmar Fajardo, who, according to Eala, plays similar to Aguilar. The 6-10 Cebuano is currently training with basketball legend Ramon Fernandez.

“We still need a little height. We’re very high on him (Fajardo) in terms of skills. We’re still continuing talks with him. We’ll also continue to develop Greg Slaughter, as well as other big men like UAAP MVP Rabeh Al-Hussaini (of Ateneo),” Eala said.

Eala also mentioned that American CJ Giles, the one-time LA Lakers, is expected to sign a one-year deal, with the possibility of extending the contract depending on whether or not he’ll get naturalized, which is currently in the process.

Meantime, Chris Lotz, 6-foot-4 wingman from Marshall University whom Eala described as a pure shooter and a strong player, will be arriving August 1, to join fellow Fil-Am Shawn Anthony, a product of McGill University.

Lotz and Anthony, who stands 6-foot-4 and plays the 2-3 positions, were discovered by the SBP when it conducted a tryout in Las Vegas