PETER Aguilar, the father of Western Kentucky University back-up center Japeth Aguilar, the 6?9? standout from the University Athletic Association of the Philippines team of Ateneo, said his son is eager to show his stuff in the Philippine Basketball Association.

The elder Aguilar, who played in the PBA, said he would visit his son in Kentucky on Feb. 25 to see how he was doing, although he said Japeth was okay despite his limited playing time.

At the same time, Aguilar told www.insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports that he wants his son to play for the Philippine National Team coached by Yeng Guiao. Aguilar said he previously committed to have his son try out for the all-pro team.

He said his son is expected to be in Manila in the last week of May and was hoping to play for the country in the Southeast Asia Basketball Association qualifying tournament, which hopefully would take place after his tryout.

Aguilar also disclosed that a friend and teammate of his son was inviting him to play in Europe, but that he would much rather enter the PBA Annual Draft in August and see action before hometown fans.

Already, several teams are eyeing the gangling center, who is the first natural-born Filipino to play in the US National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I.

Burger King manager Mikee Romero and Guiao are hoping they will win the lottery for the first draft pick since they acquired the Red Bull 2009-2010 draft rights in a trade so they could pick Aguilar. Ronnie Nathanielsz