Ginebra and TNT gave an update about their recovery from their respective injuries.
Nothing’s set in stone yet as far as the status of Barangay Ginebra San Miguel ace Japeth Aguilar and TNT Tropang Giga forward Kelly Williams going into the 2023 PBA Governors' Cup finals.
While eager to get back on the court again in time for championship series, the two bigs are making sure to take it one day at a time.
“Obviously I wanna be out there right in Game 1, but we’re taking it slow,” Williams, who suffered a calf injury in the 132-105 win over Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters in the quarterfinals, said during the finals press conference.
The 41-year-old cager dubbed as “Machine Gun” added he’s trying to be smart about his return because he knows his eagerness to play will kick in anytime during the series.
“I’m working with the team doctor and PT to make sure I’m coming in wisely 'cause historically my hardheadedness would get me out there trying to go 100% when my body is not ready,” he said said with a smile.
Aguilar, still recuperating from an MCL injury, echoed Williams' sentiments.
“Just trying to take it day by day. Sometimes, like what Kelly said, your eagerness can kinda delay it, prolong it. The intensity of the finals is different. It’s very intense, so I really wanna be ready,” he said.
Plugging Aguilar in the middle of the series could backfire, but it seems that it’s a risk Ginebra coach Tim Cone and company are willing to take.
Cone is hopeful the 6-foot-9 beanpole will make small progress between now and next week so he could start the best-of-seven finale, which starts on April 9.
“Hopefully he improves little by little to a point where he can actually get back with the team and start playing at a higher level. It’s hard for him to come back in like a Game 4 or Game 5 or the middle of the series. That would be really difficult,” Cone pointed out.
“But Japeth is such an impact player that no matter when he is able to come back, we’ll bring him back in and put him out there. But ideally it would be best if he could start in Game 1 and work his way into the series.”
The good thing about all this is that the two aces are feeling better. And it would be nice to see them suit up in the series.