MANILA – Just like Christian Standhardinger, veteran forward Japeth Aguilar is staying put with the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings for the next three years.
The 6-foot-9 forward reportedly agreed to a contract extension with the Gin Kings management. His previous deal expired when 2021 ended.
The latest development ended rumors that the 34-year-old Aguilar is taking his talents to the Land of the Rising Sun after receiving offers from various Japan B.League teams.
The Sasuman, Pampanga native has been with Barangay Ginebra since 2013 after acquiring him in a trade with GlobalPort Batang Pier (now NorthPort Batang Pier).
Aguilar, a top overall pick by Burger King in the 2009 PBA Rookie Draft, had a fruitful career with Barangay Ginebra where he captured five of his six PBA championships.
The Kings also came to terms with Standhardinger on Wednesday and with Earl Scottie Thompson last year on three-year contract extensions.
In a related development, the PBA announced the indefinite postponement of the 2021 Governors’ Cup matches due to the rising number of coronavirus disease 2019 cases in Metro Manila.
The decision to postpone the matches was reached following a special meeting between the PBA Commissioner’s Office and PBA Board of Governors on Wednesday.
“Yung health and safety talaga ng lahat ang importante. Mahirap na, we can’t put people under our care at risk, ganon din yung mga makakasalamuha nila. Mabuti na yung nag-iingat,” Commissioner Willie Marcial said.
Aside from games, the PBA also suspended all team scrimmages even though the government allows them to be held in Level 2 areas or outside the National Capital Region.
The league has already announced the postponement of this week’s games even if the Games and Amusements Board said they can resume games in a “Bubble set-up.”/PN
