Barangay Ginebra has sounded out Burger King over the possibility of obtaining its No. 1 pick in the PBA draft, becoming the latest team to join the chase for prized amateur Japeth Aguilar.

Burger King governor Lito Alvarez Saturday said he talked to Kings coach Jong Uichico and discussed the possibility of Ginebra acquiring Aguilar, the six-foot-10 former Ateneo Blue Eagle.

“Jong said they’re open to negotiations and practically offering any member of his team for Aguilar,” said Alvarez during a phone interview Saturday.

Alvarez bumped into Uichico during a wedding reception they attended Friday night.

Uichico confirmed the chance meeting.

“Everybody is interested with him (Aguilar),” Uichico said. “But nothing is concrete. How to get him? That’s the question. And sino ba ang gusto nila (Burger King)? Kung possible naman, we can discuss it.”

Alvarez, however, said Ginebra has yet to make a formal offer, adding that Purefoods is the only club that has made a serious proposal.

Before deciding on what to do with its top draft pick, Alvarez said he would consult with team coach Yeng Guiao upon his return from the Jones Cup.

Guiao, also the PowerAde-Team Pilipinas coach, is pushing for Aguilar as Burger King’s top choice.

However, Alvarez said he’s more inclined on taking Rico Maierhofer and hopes that Purefoods will release Enrico Villanueva, Rich Alvarez and Peter Jun Simon to the Whopper.

Still, Alvarez said they are keeping their options open and are willing to accept offers from other squads.

Unconfirmed reports said Talk ‘N Text is also interested and is willing to part ways with 6-9 Yancy de Ocampo and three-point specialist Ren-Ren Ritualo who started their career with the Burger King franchise.

Alvarez said he has not received any feelers from the Phone Pals, although he disclosed that long before Aguilar joined the draft, TNT offered Ali Peek for their No. 1 pick.

Sought for a reaction, TNT deputy team manager Virgil Villavicencio and coach Chot Reyes said they are not aware of any talks for the acquisition of Aguilar.

“Wala pa kaming napag-uusapan (with the management),” Villavicencio said.

“I think any coach wants to have Japeth,” said Reyes. “If the opportunity presents itself, bakit hindi. But I’m not losing sleep over it. If it happens, it happens.”

Alvarez said having De Ocampo and Ritualo to their team is as enticing as the offer of Purefoods.

“Yancy is an experienced player, while Ren-Ren remains one of the deadliest shooters in the league. So having those two guys, and probably one more player, baka pwede pag-usapan,” Alvarez said.

If the deal with Purefoods pushes through, the Whopper will take Maierhofer as their top pick, allowing the Giants to grab Aguilar with their third overall selection.

The No. 2 pick is owned by the disbanded Shell team.

Aside from the top pick, Burger King also owns the No. 4 pick, which, if things go according to plan, Alvarez said they will use it by taking Chris Ross, the PBL reigning MVP.

Aguilar, 22, played for Ateneo for one season in the UAAP in 2005, and then joined the Hilltoppers of Western Kentucky University, a Division 1 school in the United States NCAA.