ATHLETIC big man Japeth Aguilar has decided to sign a one-year pact worth around P5.04 million instead of the three-year deal offered by his new team Globalport just two days after his return from the United States.
“Yes, pipirma na si Japeth ng one year sa amin. So his contract will start this conference (Commissioner’s Cup) and end after the All-Filipino Cup of next season,” Globalport team manager BJ Manalo told Spin.ph late Wednesday night.
Manalo refused to give the other details of Aguilar’s contract but he said the three-year pro will get the maximum monthly salary of P420,000.
The 26-year-old Aguilar is set to sign the contract on Thursday after the team’s practice just in time for the deadline. He is expected to play his first game in Globalport uniform on Friday as the Batang Pier clash with the Petron Blaze Boosters in the kick-off game of the Commissioner’s Cup.
“We just want to focus on the upcoming season with Japeth. Then, maybe start negotiation again before or during the All-Filipino conference of next season. Of course, three years is a longshot but we’re happy to get Japeth and play for us,” added the Globalport team manager.
Manalo said the former Ateneo Blue Eagle big man can get the playing time he desires with Batang Pier, who went on a talent buildup recently after acquiring veteran playmaker Solomon Mercado and rookie big man Kelly Nabong from Meralco via the trade route.
Globalport then shipped out 6’7” big man Rabeh Al-Hussaini to Talk 'N Text in exchange for Aguilar.
“We feel mailalabas ni Japeth yung potential niya sa team especially as he plays under coach June (Baculi). Of course, we can never promise playing time but we feel he can play longer for us naman,” explained Manalo.
Aguilar showed Globalport what he can on the court on Wednesday morning when he scored 13 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and added three blocks in the team’s 80-87 loss to Rain or Shine in their tune-up game at the Moro Lorenzo gym.
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