Japeths-confidence-at-risk

WHEN JAPETH Aguilar decided not to sign up with the Air21 Express after being drafted as its No. 1 pick, the ballclub subjected the young man, as well as this writer who was requested by Japeth’s parents to look after his career, to some rather bitter criticism. But we took it in stride realizing that for Aguilar, the greater interest was to play for his country and, hopefully, see Smart Gilas earn a berth in the 2012 London Olympics.
In an agreement worked out with patience through long hours of negotiations, it was ultimately agreed that Talk ‘N Text would acquire Aguilar from Air21 and immediately move him to Smart Gilas.
There was a clear understanding that the only time he could play for Talk N’ Text would be when Smart Gilas ends its Olympic stint, or if the team fails to qualify.
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We have learned that Talk ‘N Text, the franchise owned by the eminent businessman-sportsman Manny Pangilinan, who also bankrolls Smart Gilas and is president of the Samahang Basketbol  ng Pilipinas, wants to get the lanky Aguilar to play for the Tropang Texters under coach Chot Reyes until November, and then to revert to Smart Gilas for the Asian Games in China.
We frankly don’t know whether Mr. Pangilinan has approved of the move.
However, Coach Rajko Toroman told us  he needs Japeth, who has honestly been somewhat of a disappointment considering the high expectations when he entered the Philippine basketball scene, to toughen up by playing in the PBA.
There is absolutely no guarantee he will, judging by what he has shown so far with Smart Gilas. As Toroman admits, Japeth is the best player in practice but cannot translate that performance in a game.
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We need to be fair to the PBA.
To begin with, when Smart Gilas signed up the finest collegiate players, they effectively denied the pro league of a number of exciting players the PBA needed in order to turn around sagging public interest.
The rationale was Smart Gilas would assume the responsibility of representing the country in all major international tournaments, which previously was the task of the PBA.
Suddenly, that reality appears to have been forgotten, even as Toroman plans to request the PBA to lend Smart Gilas such stars as James Yap, Kelly Williams and even Asi Taulava.
On top of that, while getting PBA players, they also wish to send Japeth back to the PBA to apparently toughen up. That would also seem unfair to Air21, which had high hopes of building its team around him but gave him up to Smart Gilas seemingly in the interest of the national team.
Of course, we can all trot out the often-used—and many times abused—call for the sake of the so-called national interest.  Moving Aguilar back and forth simply won’t enhance his public image. He took a beating once and will presumably get it again, and it may further erode his confidence.
For us the bottom line is, agreements, particularly between good friends, are meant to be honored. We trust it won’t be broken in the case of Japeth Aguilar.