GINEBRA coach Tim Cone is tempering expectations on veteran big man Japeth Aguilar’s return following an accidental collision with Blackwater import Robert Upshaw over a week ago.
The 6-9 Aguilar sought medical attention and didn’t finish that game where the Gin Kings managed to outlast the Bossing, 115-108 on April 24.
The many-time Gilas Pilipinas slotman was confined for a few days after that game to undergo tests on his chest and lungs, before being discharged after getting the doctor’s clearance.
“He’s had absolute total rest. No running, no activity, so he hasn’t been working out at all. It’s like an absolute bed rest like 10 days or something like that,” Cone shared, whose team lambasted Rain or Shine, 114-90 on Sunday to grab a share of second spot and boost its top 4 hopes heading to the playoffs.
“So you fall out of shape quickly doing that. So it’s really going to be about him getting back in shape.”
The multi-titled PBA mentor said Aguilar is projected to rejoin practice by Tuesday, hopeful that the shotblocking big man can start getting his wind back.
Ginebra has a week to get Aguilar back into shape before the team closes its elimination round assignment against Bol Bol and TNT at the end of the tournament’s playdate for the preliminary phase.
“If we don’t feel like he’s back in shape, because most of the time when you’re not in shape, that’s when the injuries come in. So we want to make sure he’s 100 percent before we put him, present him on the floor come Sunday,” Cone said.
“He’s got some days, so we’ll see how it works out, see how he reacts.”
Ginebra has won two of its last three games without Aguilar, but the American mentor admitted that defending the 7-3 Bol Bol will present a major challenge, given the Gin Kings’ shorthanded front court. RICHARD DY
