Barangay Ginebra San Miguel will return to action on Sunday, April 5, in what could be an explosive showdown with the San Miguel Beermen. But, at least for now, the barangay is still keeping its fingers crossed that Japeth Aguilar will be back for that Easter Sunday outing.
Aguilar, a pillar of Ginebra’s championships in the Tim Cone era, didn’t play in Ginebra’s win over the Converge FiberXers, although the PBA’s all-time winningest coach said his veteran big could’ve played if the stakes were higher, as in Ginebra’s semis showdown with San Miguel in the PBA Philippine Cup, for example.
“If this had been a playoff game, in a best-of-seven and we really needed the win, I think he might’ve been able to play at least a little bit,” Cone told reporters after that victory. “But it wasn’t worth the risk this early in the conference to extend him. We don’t play until Sunday, so we’re hoping he’ll be back with us on Sunday, but we’ll have to see what happens through the week.”
What’s Wrong with Japeth Aguilar?
It turns out the 39-year-old hurt his knee following an awkward landing in the fourth quarter of Ginebra’s 118–113 loss to the NLEX Road Warriors. The good news, according to Cone, is that Japeth Aguilar escaped major injury.
“It is a knee issue, but the MRI came out negative, there are no structural problems,” Cone confirmed. “But there is some residual swelling. He still has pain, though the trainers described it at a level of 4 out of 10. So, we thought we better hold him out.”
Ginebra’s decision is understandable. Japeth Aguilar is 39, and those older knees aren’t as strong as when the athletic big was in his prime. He is also the barangay’s only viable option at center, and losing him for one or two games would certainly be better than losing him long term—and Cone, of all people, knows this.
“We’re hoping Japeth won’t be out for too long. Obviously, it’s a big hole for us,” Cone acknowledged.
Now, Cone and Ginebra can only play the waiting game.
