BARANGAY Ginebra coach Tim Cone said Japeth Aguilar is doubtful for their next two games due to an injury related to his hard fall during their PBA Commissioner's Cup face-off against Blackwater last Friday.
Cone said Aguilar remains in the hospital but will soon be discharged, though it remains unlikely that he can get back to practice in time to prepare for Ginebra's two crucial games this week.
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Those games will be against playoff contenders in Meralco on Friday and Rain or Shine on Sunday where the Gins will be chasing one of four twice-to-beat incentives in the quarterfinals.
“I believe he is still in the hospital,” said Cone after Ginebra's 119-107 victory over Titan Ultra on Sunday. “We expect him to come out, hopefully tomorrow or Tuesday.”
Cone isn't familiar with Aguilar's condition, only saying that “he has some air in his lungs.” A check online showed that such condition is called pneumomediastinum.
“Basically, he has some air in his lungs, with some air in the pockets around his lungs, and they took it out. But there is a medical term for it,” Cone added.
“He is out of danger and it is not serious, apparently. I hope I'm telling you the right information. That's what I know so far,” said Cone.
Cone said the priority is for Aguilar to be healthy enough to be out of the hospital, and will take a cautious approach as to when he is going to return to practice.
“We don't have a timeframe in terms of when he will be back in the line-up and ready to play. I think the first step is just get out of the hospital and we will decide where to go from there,” Cone said.
“He will have to get in practice so he is doubtful for this coming weekend but I wouldn't rule him out altogether. But I think he is doubtful for this weekend, the coming games when we play Friday and Sunday,” said Cone.
“First step, get out of the hospital. After that, we will decide how we will go from there. Hopefully, we put a game plan together in terms of getting him back in the line-up,” said Cone.
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