Burger King may pass up the opportunity of acquiring the celebrated Japeth Aguilar in favor of Rico Maierhofer and hopes to land three key players from Purefoods TJ Hotdogs, according to team governor Lito Alvarez.

Although Burger King coach Yeng Guiao has already made his wishes known that he wants Aguilar, Alvarez said the final decision rests on management.

The incoming PBA chairman said he asked Guiao to assess the performance of Aguilar.

“That’s what we agreed, since coach Yeng is coaching Japeth, I told him that I’ll also watch the games of the Philippine team (on television) and make my own assessment,” Alvarez said.

“Then we’ll discuss again when he (Guiao) comes back from the Jones Cup. We’ll have a clearer picture on what we’ll do with the top pick.”

Despite Guiao’s glowing endorsement of Aguilar, Alvarez seems unimpressed.

Alvarez said that he would rather get the six-foot-six Maierhofer, a former La Salle Archer, with the hope of landing Enrico Villanueva, Rich Alvarez, and Peter June Simon from Purefoods through a trade.

The incoming PBA board chairman said talks are under way between Burger King and Purefoods, teams that own the first two picks in the PBA draft set on Aug. 2 at the Market! Market! Place in Taguig City.

Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio confirmed the talks, but nothing has been agreed upon at the moment.

“We are talking to Burger King and also to other teams to look at various possibilities to strengthen and balance our roster,” Gregorio said. “Different options are being discussed. I am sure that as we near the draft, we will see a clearer picture on the direction of our franchise with regard to player movement.”

“One thing is certain though, the decisions that we will make will definitely make us more competitive in the coming season,” Gregorio added.

Aside from the No. 1 pick, the Whopper own No. 4 and No. 9 selections.

The No. 2 pick is actually owned by the disbanded Shell squad.

By passing up Aguilar, Alvarez said, the Giants can select the son of former pro Peter Aguilar.

In return, Alvarez said Purefoods will release Villanueva, Alvarez, and Simon to the Whopper.

“Alam naman natin lahat na malaki talaga ang future ni Japeth. But for me, having Enrico, Rich, and PJ Simon, and picking Maierhofer and (former PBL MVP) Chris Ross (with the fourth pick), lalakas ang team namin,” Alvarez said.

The 6-foot-10 Aguilar, who played for the Ateneo Blue Eagles before transferring to the Western Kentucky University, is currently playing for the PowerAde Team Pilipinas in the Jones Cup in Taipei.

Aguilar made himself available for the draft when he signed the application over the weekend before the national team left for Taipei.