PBA Finals: Ginebra’s Japeth Aguilar downplays hurt nose in Game 3 win

Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings Japeth Aguilar during the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals Game 3 against TNT Tropang Giga. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Ginebra big man Japeth Aguilar had some troubles in Game 3 of the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals.

In the first quarter of the Gin Kings’ 85-73 win over TNT at Araneta Coliseum on Friday, Aguilar was inadvertently hit by Tropang Giga import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson right on the nose, which effectively impacted the former’s minutes.

Instead of playing the entire first period, Aguilar checked in and out of the game as he was constantly being checked by the team’s physical therapists.

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But Aguilar didn’t mind the contact and said it was “part of the game.”

“Nasundot lang. Every possession was important so I just needed to get back on defense and when there was time, that’s when our PT checked it,” said Aguilar.

“I just had struggles with it at first. I had some post-nasal drip going on my throat but it’s okay. It’s part of the game.”

Aguilar finished just three boards shy of a double-double with 10 points and seven rebounds with four assists and two blocks to match.

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Amid the Gilas big’s shortcoming on offense due to his nasal problem, Joe Devance picked up the slack in the center position.

Devance may not have scored much with two points, two assists and a rebounds but it was his 15 minutes of action that helped Aguilar rest more in the win that brought the series to a 2-1 slate.

“He really gave us a lot for the team. His experiences gave him different looks inside which makes him very important,” Aguilar said.

Aguilar also lauded his teammates who picked up his defensive responsibilities on Rondae Hollis-Jefferson while he was on the bench, nursing his nose.

“It wasn’t one-on-one defense with him (RHJ), it was really team defense. My teammates were ready on the helping side and I just tried my best.”

Aguilar looks to bump up his stats in Game 4 of the Finals on Sunday at the same venue.