Japeth Aguilar has been playing through dengue for three games already.
That was the revelation of Ginebra head coach Tim Cone after their 100-93 win versus Northport that secured them a best-of-three quarterfinals spot in the 2022 PBA Philippine Cup.
“Did anybody know that Japeth’s been playing with dengue?” asked the winningest coach in league history.
“Japeth’s been playing with dengue. That’s why we only limit him three to four minutes per outing today, because his platelets are low.”
And Aguilar has been playing through it since the TNT and Meralco game because he only learned that he had acquired it just two days ago.
His doctor has yet to allow him to play but the 6-foot-9 high flyer is playing through it.
“Okay naman. Yun nga, unheard of. Hindi ko rin alam noong una, na-feel ko lang last game against Meralco, actually even Talk N Text eh,” shared Aguilar.
“Hindi nga eh. ‘Yung doctor ko hindi pa ako allowed maglaro, pero nag-iingat naman.”
He risked it anew against the Batang Pier since he has already played two games with it so, why not?
Even if his short runs on the floor frustrate him a little bit, since he’s eager to help the squad.
“Yung mindset ko lang kanina, nakalaro na ako noong Meralco game so talagang ginawa ko naman yung necessary na kailangan kong gawin,” he said. “Actually, it’s been two days lagi akong nag-a-IV.
“Grabe hina ng energy ko. As in kahit dalawang beses lang ako tumakbo sa court, parang nakaka-frustrate din yung ganong feeling.”
But Cone said he might give Aguilar off on Thursday when they battle Phoenix at 7:15 pm.
“Hopefully, we would be able to rest him at the Phoenix game so he can get ready for the playoffs.”
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The second game of each PBA gameday is live-streamed on SMART Sports.
