GLOBALPORT, JAPETH FINALIZING NEW DEAL
GlobalPort is already done with its first phase on Japeth Aguilar. It has brought the controversial forward home.
Now, the Batang Pier are already on the final phase of making the player the latest member of the squad – signing Aguilar to a new pact.
With only three days left before GlobalPort plunges to action in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, the team is rushing its negotiations with Aguilar’s camp and including him in the final roster in time for Friday’s game.
BJ Manalo, team manager of GlobalPort, and Marvin Espiritu, one of the local agents of Aguilar, are already in the thick of negotiations to sign up the 6-foot-9 forward.
“We’re already negotiating. I expect it to be finalized anytime,” said Espiritu.
Aguilar arrived late Monday night and attended GlobalPort’s practice session on Tuesday.
“We want to finalize everything para matapos na at wala nang poproblemahin si Japeth,” said Manalo. “I don’t think there would be any problems regarding the contract.”
Manalo said he’s impressed with Aguilar’s commitment even though he has yet to sign a contract with the squad.
“It’s a risk for a player when you’re already playing for them even though you you’re playing without a contract, but Japeth was able to do that,” added Manalo.
Espiritu said he will present the tender offer to Aguilar for approval.
For Aguilar, he welcomes the opportunity of playing for GlobalPort as a new chapter in his career.
“That’s what I’ve been looking for, an opportunity,” added Aguilar, who attended training camps in the US at the end of the 2012 PBA season.
The former Gilas standout is also hoping he could be more matured this time, learning from his previous experiences where he was involved in several controversies.
He was the No. 1 overall pick of the PBA Rookie Draft in 2009, but turned his back on Air21 Express and decided to play for the SMART-Gilas national team on a full time basis. He did see action for one game that year, but he was traded after the game and his rights were acquired by the Talk N Text Tropang Texters.
TNT waited for Aguilar to fulfill his obligations to SMART-Gilas and last year, he was able to play for the Tropang Texters. When the season ended, he flew to the US and tried out for several NBA teams before winding up as practice player of the Sta. Cruz Warriors in the D-League.
Aguilar’s camp demanded a trade from Talk N Text to allow the player to be given more playing time and GlobalPort is more than willing to welcome the former Western Kentucky player with open arms.
The second generation PBA player wants to move on and is now making himself feel at home with his new squad. He hopes fans don’t expect too much from him.
“There are times fans expect too much and once you don’t live up to their expectations, they will become your detractors,” Aguilar said.
“I’d like to appeal to the fans not to expect too much, but I assure them that every time I play, I will always do my best.” (RJ)
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