MANILA, Philippines — Japeth Aguilar will continue to play for Smart-Gilas Pilipinas until the end of the FIBA-Asia Championship in September in Wuhan, China.

This was clarified by Smart-Gilas Serbian mentor Rajko Toroman yesterday, quashing speculations that the 6-foot-9 Aguilar will be joining his mother team in the PBA – Talk ‘N Text next conference.

“He is coming back to us. He is still with Smart-Gilas. He will rejoin us when practice resumes on Friday,” Toroman told the Bulletin in a telephone interview Tuesday.

Aguilar has been practicing with the Tropang Texters, which began when the Nationals left for Dubai to compete in an Invitational tournament.

Aguilar’s presence in the TNT practice session at the Moro Lorenzo gym led to some quarters think that the Chot Reyes-mentored team is preparing the high-leaping forward for the Commissioner’s Cup set to open Feb. 20.

Reyes, actually mentioned that possibility since Talk ‘N Text is Aguilar’s mother team in the PBA. Reyes, however, said that Smart-Gilas has the last say.

Smart-Gilas put Aguilar on the injured list and was left out when the Nationals flew to Dubai for the tournament. The former Western Kentucky University player was still recovering from a knee injury at that time.

Aguilar was practicing the past three weeks with TNT as part of his recovery, which include five-on-five scrimmage.

Toroman said Aguilar will suit up for Smart-Gilas in the Commissioners Cup and will only be released after the FIBA-Asia Championship, the qualifying event for the 2012 London Olympics.

“He will play for TNT in the third conference (Governors Cup) and not in the second conference,” Toroman said.

Waylon Galvez, Manila Bulletin