Japeth Aguilar Finally Gets Surgery for Nagging Hand Injury, to Miss Start of Ginebra’s Campaign

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by Raymund Tamayo

Ginebra veteran big man Japeth Aguilar (25) goes up for a jump shot.
Ginebra veteran big man Japeth Aguilar (25) goes up for a jump shot. Photo: PBA Images.

Barangay Ginebra fans will need a little more patience before seeing Japeth Aguilar back in action. The 38-year-old big man finally went under the knife this offseason to fix the persistent hand problem that’s been bugging him for more than a year.

Coach Tim Cone confirmed the development during the PBA Media Day at Elements, Centris, and while the update is good news in the long run, it also means Ginebra will be without their towering veteran at the start of the Philippine Cup.

“It’s going alright, he’s doing well,” Cone said. “But he’s not into basketball activities yet, he can’t even handle the ball. So he’ll probably miss our first game, maybe the second. After that, we’ll play it by ear.”

Aguilar was present at Media Day, flashing his usual smile, but admitted he won’t suit up immediately once Season 50 tips off. The surgery was done shortly after Gilas Pilipinas wrapped up its FIBA Asia Cup stint in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where Aguilar again answered the national call.

That’s what made the timing tricky. Cone explained that Japeth had two choices: get surgery right after last season to be fully ready for opening night, or play for Gilas first before addressing the injury. True to form, Aguilar chose flag and country first.

Japeth Aguilar playing for Gilas Pilipinas.
Japeth Aguilar playing for Gilas Pilipinas. Photo: FIBA.

“We kind of forced him to go to the Asia Cup rather than stay here and do surgery,” Cone admitted with a laugh, knowing how badly Japeth wanted to play for the flag.

The towering forward’s “bad fingers,” as Cone described them, had been a painful, recurring problem—swelling up after games, limiting his grip, and hampering his rhythm. Now that surgery is done, Cone believes it will extend Japeth’s career and save him from constant discomfort.

“At least it’s something we don’t have to worry about anymore. It’ll help him in the long run,” said the Ginebra mentor.

For Ginebra fans, it’s a bittersweet situation: no Japeth in the early goings, but a healthier and more reliable Aguilar once he returns. And if there’s one thing we’ve learned about him, it’s that he always finds a way to bounce back, whether it’s above the rim or from an injury setback.