Japeth Aguilar is welcome to practice with Smart-Gilas national development team, according to Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) executive-director Noli Eala.

Eala said he has invited Aguilar, through his representative Ronnie Nathanielz, to join the Smart-Gilas practices to keep him in shape.

Other than that, the SBP has nothing to offer until after Aguilar sorts out his problems with the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

Aguilar, who is set to return this week after a two-week vacation in the United States, is in a limbo after deciding against playing for Burger King in the PBA in favor of the national team.

The PBA board of governors has yet to announce what steps to take against Aguilar who was the No. 1 overall draft pick of the Whopper.

Eala disclosed that he has had preliminary talks with Nathanielz.

“We’re talking, but no negotiations,” Eala said. “We talked about Japeth’s status, we’re just concerned na mawala s’ya sa Pilipinas.”

Eala said there is a possibility the 6-foot-10 Aguilar would consider playing abroad if that’s the only way out from the mess created by his decision to not sign with Burger King and stay as amateur to play for the national team.

“It’s a possibility if maipit si Japeth di ba?” Eala said.

“So nanghihinayang kami na another worthy talent will pack his bags and not be made available to serve our country. Sana maayos na,” he added.

Aguilar received an offer from the SBP had last April to join Smart-Gilas, but decided to apply for the PBA rookie draft.

After being picked and offered an P8.7 million contract from Burger King, Aguilar changed his mind to the consternation of incoming PBA chairman
Lito Alvarez of Burger King.

Facing a possible lifetime ban from the PBA, Aguilar said he may try to play in Europe or in the US’s National Developmental Basketball League or NBDL – the farm league of the NBA.

Aguilar played college ball with Ateneo in the UAAP before joining Western Kentucky University, a division 1 US NCAA.

Smart-Gilas, handled by Serbian coach Rajko Toroman, is training for various international meets, including the Asian Games next year in Guangzhou, China.

The team will also compete in the 2011 FIBA-Asia Championship, which the country is bidding to host. The event serves as qualifying tournament for the 2012 London Olympics.

Despite the absence of top collegiate players from the UAAP and NCAA, Smart-Gilas already started practice with Toroman.