Ginebra wary of Japeth Aguilar’s fitness ahead of Game 7

Ginebra forward Japeth Aguilar gets treatment on the bench during Game 6 of the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—One of the bigger things that Barangay Ginebra will keep an eye on for Game 7 of the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals is their starting big man Japeth Aguilar.

While San Miguel Beer star June Mar Fajardo is nearing full recovery from an injured calf, the Gin Kings are facing a similar problem with Aguilar’s fitness.

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After Ginebra forced a do-or-die game with the Beermen on Sunday, coach Tim Cone revealed that their all-star center is facing fatigue issues with the long conference.

“He’s had some fatigue issues through the series, and we’re just trying to keep his energy levels up. Trying to max the minutes of June Mar is really difficult because he gives up 30or 40 pounds easy. Trying to battle [him], it’s like trying to push the wall all day,” said Cone after their miraculous 88-87 win.

“If you keep pushing that wall all day, you’re going to get tired. It’s really on us and the staff to get him ready. We’re trying to get over those fatigue issues and keep him fresh.”

Aguilar played well in Game 6, finishing with 16 points, four rebounds and a block to match but his fatigue was quite obvious to the raucous crowd inside the Big Dome.

READ: PBA: Japeth Aguilar saves Ginebra’s night ala ‘Batman’

Aguilar played 32 minutes while occasionally asking to be substituted out in the fourth period. Fajardo, meanwhile, played longer, logging 40 tiresome minutes.

The reigning MVP dropped a double-double on the Gin Kings’ heads, collecting 21 points and 16 rebounds, something Aguilar couldn’t quite contain.

“We’ll take game seven as it comes. The coaching staff will worry about that while the players will work on trying to get back,” Cone said.

Game 7 for all the marbles will tip off at 7 p.m. in the same venue in Araneta, Cubao.