INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines - A lengthy stint in the Philippine team may be ahead for the much sought after Japeth Aguilar.

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Noli Eala said that as soon as Aguilar commits, the lean 6-foot-9 cager is expected to lead the national team’s young core.

“At this point I will categorically say that we need Japeth Aguilar in the national team,” said Eala.

“I’ve seen how he plays and I don’t think there’s a player as young as he is who can help the national team for a long, long time in that position. Certainly we are hoping that he will see that playing for the national team remains the biggest honor for any basketball player.”

Aguilar will practice with the Powerade-RP squad mentored by Yeng Guiao starting Monday at the FilOil Flying-V Arena in San Juan.

The 22-year-old graduate of US NCAA Division 1 school Western Kentucky University similarly has an outstanding offer from the Smart Gilas national developmental team coached by Serbian Rajko Toroman.

And aside from keeping his NBA hopes up following a recent stint at the National Basketball Development League camp in Los Angeles, Aguilar has also been flirting with the PBA Rookie Draft set on Aug. 2.

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

“Walang pilitan (We’re not forcing him),” said Eala.

“If he decides to join the Smart Gilas team, it doesn’t mean he cannot play for the Powerade team. As far as we’re concerned, we’re in no tug of war with anyone. SBP supports both the Powerade and Smart Gilas teams and whoever needs a player, if we have them, we’ll gladly lend them to the teams.”

“We’re just hoping that we can form the best possible team so that we’ll have a fighting chance in the Olympics,” added Eala.

Guiao’s all-pro squad is preparing for the Jones Cup in Taipei next month and the more important 25th Fiba-Asia men’s championship in Tianjin, China, in August.

The top three finishers in the Tianjin tourney will earn berths in the 2010 World Championships in Turkey.