PBA: Ginebra to ‘reconstruct’ rotation with Isaac Go injured

Ginebra Gin Kings’ Isaac Go helped off to the bench after an injury during a PBA Governors’ Cup game. –PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines—Ginebra’s most recent win in Group B of the PBA Governors’ Cup didn’t come without some mishaps.

In the Gin Kings’ victory over Rain or Shine, 124-102, at Araneta Coliseum on Friday, big man Isaac Go went down early in the game to an apparent leg injury.

At the 3:32 mark of the first quarter, Go challenged Felix Lemetti’s three-point attempt but went down awkwardly and had to be helped out.

READ: PBA: Ginebra gets back at Rain or Shine with rout

“We’re going to have to reconstruct our rotation with Isaac out,” said Ginebra coach Tim Cone.

“We don’t know how long he’s going to be out, we don’t know the severity of the injury, it could be long or short term. Our trainers couldn’t decide. We have to get him to a hospital first and check the MRI.”

Without Go, Japeth Aguilar had to play more minutes in the center position with 30 minutes of playing time.

The 37-year-old big man registered 21 points and eight rebounds but it was import Justin Brownlee who did the dirty work inside with the absence of Go with 40 points and 10 rebounds.

READ: PBA: Justin Brownlee downplays another stellar night for Ginebra

Cone acknowledged that Ginebra played their guards more, resulting in the late game breakaway.

“Tonight, we played small a lot, we put Stephen (Holt) at the 4, Justin at the 5 and we may have to live with those a little bit.”

The veteran tactician said that heading forward, the Gin Kings will have to maximize their resources with more minutes for Raymond Aguilar and even new big man Ben Adamos.

“Raymond might play some minutes, he knows our system and what we do. He can play a role for us.”

“Ben is still looking to find his way but we think he can step in as well. Not as well as Isaac can at this point but if we need him to step in I think we can get some valuable minutes with him.”