BURGER King head coach Yeng Guiao is confident Japeth Aguilar, the country’s latest cage sensation, will apply for the Rookie Draft on August 2.

“I have a feeling he would,” said Guiao, minutes after his Whopper drubbed Rain or Shine, 132-118, in the battle for third place in the Philippine Basketball Association Fiesta Conference on Wednesday night.

“And it is now open for bidding,” Guiao added in jest.

Barako Bull actually owns the No. 1 pick in the draft after finishing last this the season, but Burger King earned that right in the Gabby Espinas trade before the start of the season, giving Whopper three picks in the first round.

“If Japeth applies, and I think he will, this team will be competitive next season,” the national-team mentor added.

The deadline for local-born players to apply for the draft is on July 24, and Aguilar, the 22-year-old six-foot-nine forward out of Western Kentucky University, is still weighing his options.

“I’m happy with the performance of my veterans and the new guys. These players performed beyond my expectations, and if we add Japeth on the team, I think we can compete now in the league,” Guiao added.

The No. 2 pick belongs to Purefoods Tender Juicy.

Projected to be selected next after Aguilar are Philippine Basketball League standouts Chris Ross, Jervy Cruz and Rico Maierhofer.

The Whopper own No. 3, followed by Rain or Shine, Alaska, Sta. Lucia, Barangay Ginebra, Burger King again (from Talk ’N Text) and San Miguel Beer.