There’s a glimmer of hope that starting center Japeth Aguilar can suit up for the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel ahead of their PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup opener against the Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Gin Kings head coach Tim Cone said Aguilar’s playing status is at “50/50” as the veteran continues to recover from hand surgery during the offseason.
“Japeth’s status (for Sunday) is currently 50/50,” Cone told Fastbreak in a text message on Saturday morning.
Cone said during the PBA Media Day last month that Aguilar was expected to miss at least the first few games of the season while completing his rehabilitation.
The veteran big man underwent surgery on his left hand shortly after returning from Gilas Pilipinas’ 2025 FIBA Asia Cup stint in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia last August.
The Ginebra mentor revealed that Aguilar had been playing through finger problems for more than a year, enduring constant pain and swelling after games.
“He’s been playing with these bad fingers on his left hand. It’s very painful, always swelling after the game,” Cone said.
Aguilar’s possible return would be a major lift for the Gin Kings as they go up against Magnolia’s frontline of Ian Sangalang, Zavier Lucero, James Laput, and Russel Escoto. (AC)
The post Japeth Aguilar ’50/50′ for Manila Clasico – Tim Cone first appeared on Fastbreak.
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