2009 PBA draft

As expected, the Burger King Whoppers nabbed Japeth Aguilar as its overall No.1 draft pick in the 2009 PBA draft; however days after the draft, he boldly declare that he would join the Smart Gilas Pilipinas developmental basketball program coached by Serbian Rajko Toroman, a move which caused controversy within the PBA and angst especially by the team that drafted him. Its governor, Lito Alvarez, even went to the extent of banning Aguilar from the league for his refusal to sign with the Whoppers.[1]

An amicable settlement was reached on October 9, 2009, two days before the 35th PBA season. With SBP prexy Manny Pangilinan and executive director Noli Eala intervening and at Alvarez's behest, Aguilar signed the one-year contract with the Whoppers, which included him playing for a few games with them then he would be traded to Talk N Text Tropang Texters (Pangilinan's PBA team) which would then release him to Smart Gilas as he wanted.[2] Alvarez even said that before Aguilar signed their contract, the former already has had the latter's No.18 uniform with the Whoppers made.

Aguilar played his only professional game with the Whoppers against the Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants in the PBA season opener, which ended in a 93-80 loss to the Giants.[3] Immediately after, Aguilar got his wish as the Whoppers traded him to the Tropang Texters in exchange for future draft picks, indirectly through Barako Bull Energy Boosters which acted as the conduit team.[4] As expected, TNT loaned him to Smart Gilas where he will stay there until after the 2012 London Olympics as per his Gilas contract.

As the consequence of this controversy, the board of governors approved stiffer penalties for rookie draftees who would turn their back on the league.[5]

• Josh Urbiztondo – signed with Sta. Lucia Realty
• Bryan Faundo from Letran – signed with Barako Bull Energy Boosters
• Marlon Adolfo from Far Eastern
• Charleston Bocias from Sta. Francis of Assisi
• Kim Macanig - Philippine Christian University
• Axel John Doruelo from UP Diliman – signed with Thailand Tigers in the ABL – signed with Petron Blaze Boosters
• Jim Bruce Viray from San Sebastian – signed by the Barako Bull Energy Boosters as free agent
• Luis Palaganas East
• Leemore Boliver from Arellano / Philippine Christian University
• Glenn Bolocon from Emilio Aguinaldo
• Roel Hugnatan from Adamson
• Richard Saladaga from San Jose - Recoletos
• Dino Daa from Letran – signed with Philippine Patriots in the ABL
• Jonathan Pinera from Letran
• Jorel Canizares from East
• Gerry Orera from Adamson
• Ramsey Williams from Hawaii – signed with Quezon Red Oilers in the Liga Pilipinas and picked up by Burger King as a free agent
• Jerome Cenita from San Sebastian - Cavite
• Jemal Vizcarra from Santo Tomas
• Roser Mangahas from Far Eastern University
• Jerby Del Rosario from Mapua
• Floyd Dedicatoria from JRU
• Jan Philip Villaver from San Sebastian - Cavite
• Chris Viardo from Pilgrim High School
• Howard Saddi from Centro Escolar University
• Hafer Mondragon from Letran – signed with Philippine Patriots in the ABL
• Raymond Aguilar from National
• Cris Angelo Espinosa from JRU
• Allan Evangelista from Santo Tomas
• Andro Quinday from Letran
• Emmanuel Malasig from Berkeley (US)
• Jobe Nkemakolam from Ateneo
• Jonathan Uyloan – signed by Rain or Shine Elasto Painters as a free agent
• Jonathan Parreno from WMSU

*All aspirants are Filipinos until proven otherwise.

• PBA.ph