Japeth Aguilar’s first order of business once he settles down is to bring his parents back to the country.

“That is our plan, and once I’m settled, we hope to bring them back,” said the 22-year-old Aguilar, who was selected No. 1 overall pick by Burger King in the Annual PBA Rookie Draft last Sunday.

His father, Peter Aguilar, who played for several teams in the PBA including Ginebra and Shell, and his mother, Josephine, are in the United States holding separate jobs.

Aguilar is currently staying in an apartment in Makati City with sister Micah. To move around the city, Aguilar has been lent a car by Burger King and RP team coach Joseller “Yeng” Guiao.

Aguilar has yet to discuss the terms of his contract with Burger King, but he is likely to get all the maximum salary and perks allowable for a rookie.

“Mag-uusap muna kami ng management,” he said.

Under the rookie cap, the maximum is P150, 000 a month. If the deal is for three seasons, his earnings will increase to about P225, 000 in his sophomore year and P350, 000 on his third season.

Aguilar’s combination of height, which is 6-10, quickness and athleticism, are rare for a Filipino player and this has led basketball experts to label him as the next important center in the pro league in the mold of Ramon Fernandez (6-4), Abet Guidaben (6-5), Benjie Paras (6-5), Marlou Aquino (6-9) and Danny Ildefonso (6-6).

“His upside is really tremendous. I’ve maintained that in a year or two, maybe less, he’ll dominate the big man position,” Guiao said.

“Once he develops his basketball instincts, we can build a team around him, which is what Burger King is planning to do,” Guiao added.

Aguilar’s stint with the PowerAde Team Pilipinas gave Guiao a closer look at the player who played one year with Ateneo. When he joined his parents in the US, Aguilar played for the Western Kentucky University, a Division 1 school in the US NCAA. He never saw much action for the team but his experience makes him a formidable presence in the local scene.

Besides Aguilar, Burger King also took one-time University of Manila standout Ronnie Matias as its 9th overall pick.

During the draft proper, the Whopper dealt to Coca-Cola two of its second round picks. That trade package also included the team’s fourth overall pick, Fil-Am Chris Ross, and incoming third-year point guard Marvin Cruz.

In return, Burger King obtained third-year guard Ronjay Buenafe.