PBA: Japeth Aguilar inching close to return, hopeful for Game 3

FILE – Ginebra’s Japeth Aguilar. INQUIRER PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–Japeth Aguilar donned game gear on Friday night, but for the second straight time, he sat on the bench and just watched as Barangay Ginebra held off Meralco, 99-93, and tied the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals at 1-1.

The high-leaping Gin Kings forward said he is still taking his time to recover but remains hopeful that he could rejoin the team when the two clubs break the tie on Sunday again at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

“Continuously healing it,” Aguilar said of his calf injury. “We’re just really trying to buy a bit more time.”

“We’ll see,” he added of Sunday’s game. “Tomorrow’s another chance for me to work it out in getting back in shape and in timing.”

Aguilar hurt his calf in Game 1 of Ginebra’s semifinal series against NLEX, and has been shelved since then for a total of five matches now.

Head coach Tim Cone said Aguilar could suit up “maybe Sunday, but if there’s any likelihood, it would be Wednesday. He needs a few more days, it seems to me.”

Whether he suits up sooner than later, Aguilar is sure of one thing: That he’ll give a hundred percent to help Ginebra successfully defend its title in the season-ending showcase.

“If ever I get to play I’m gonna be all out,” he said. “I won’t be thinking about (the injury), because the more you think about it, [the more you get antsy].”

“I’ll just try to do the best I can so I could give the other players even just a short break,” he added.