Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 16) – Barangay Ginebra star Japeth Aguilar expressed his optimism to play on Sunday in the crucial Game 5 of their PBA Governors’ Cup finals series against Meralco.
“I’m just gonna take it one day at a time. Tomorrow, let’s see what I can do. What is important is I’m ready for Game 5,” Aguilar told reporters after their series-tying 95-84 Game 4 victory against the Bolts last Wednesday.
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In the post-game interview, Aguilar revealed he experienced tightness in his calf starting in the third quarter, which caused his limited exposure inside the court.
“When I got out in the third quarter, I felt some tightness again. When I entered the fourth quarter, I again felt the tightness. I asked to get subbed,” said Aguilar.
Aguilar was in the Gin Kings’ rotation in Game 4 and initially looked recovered from a calf injury he incurred in their semifinals series against the NLEX Road Warriors.
The 6-foot-9 power forward came off the bench and went scoreless in the 10 minutes he was on the court, missing his three shot attempts. He logged one rebound and gave up two personal fouls in his limited time.
With their prized big man’s situation, Ginebra head coach Tim Cone admitted Aguilar will be a game-time decision for Game 5, where the winner will be a win away from winning the Governors’ Cup title.
“I saw him getting tired in the second half, but we were making a run and I didn’t have the discipline to take him out. I should have had more discipline to take him out,” Cone said after Game 4.
The winningest PBA mentor added, “If he has that injury again, that’s on me. That’s not on him.”
Aguilar added that he needs to strengthen his calf to regain his full strength in the best-of-seven finals series against familiar foe Meralco Bolts.
“I’m happy that I tried playing it in this game. Now, I know what I need to do,” Aguilar said.
Cone also hopes that the Kapampangan cager will be back in the court to play a significant role in their quest for back-to-back Governors’ Cup titles.
“You could see the impact he had on the floor. the impact defensively, the impact offensively. They had to play us a little differently. We were able to get a little bit more rest for Christian (Standhardinger) and Justin (Brownlee) with him out there without losing a lot,” Cone said to emphasize Aguilar’s role in their loaded frontcourt rotation.
Game 5 of the PBA Governors’ Cup finals series between Ginebra and Meralco is set Sunday, 6:30 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
