Barangay Ginebra's Japeth Aguilar in action against TNT in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner's Cup, May 10, 2026 at the Mall of Asia Arena. PBA Media
MANILA – Japeth Aguilar breathed a sigh of relief on Sunday, as the veteran big man finally returned to action for Barangay Ginebra in their final elimination round game of the PBA Season 50 Commissioner's Cup against the TNT Tropang 5G.
Aguilar missed three games for the Gin Kings as he recovered from a lung-related condition following his bad fall against the Blackwater Bossing last April 24.
In his return, Aguilar started the match and took on the task of guarding TNT import and former NBA player Bol Bol.
READ: Ginebra outlasts Bol, TNT in thriller to set up q’finals clash vs. Phoenix
"Tagal ko na sa maglalaro ng basketball. Na akala ko, you know, you've seen it all then. Biglang may Bol Bol na ganoon. Tapos ganun yung skill, guard. Tinry ko makuha yung rhythm ko," he told reporters after Ginebra's 93-86 win over TNT.
The Ginebra big man said he had to get a clearance from his doctor before returning to practice after recovering from the lung-related condition.
Aguilar shared what happened after the bad fall during the April 24 game.
"Medyo delay yung effect. So, medyo nakalaro pa ako. Tapos, everything ano talaga. Parang sakto talaga yung panayari. Sakto, sinub ko ni Coach Tim.
Yung sinub ko ni Coach Tim, dun na medyo... Basta ang daming term ng mga PT. Talaga parang medyo nagkulang yung oxygen sa ano ko. Medyo... Nag-faint ako konti," he explained.
For Aguilar, he's glad he got to return for the Gin Kings ahead of the quarterfinals.
The veteran center finished with six points and three rebounds in 15 minutes of play.
"Thankful na rin ako kasi ganun lang yung nangyari. Hindi naman masyado malala... Masaya ako nakaisang game ako before the playoffs," he shared.
"We're working hard para ready lang sa playoffs. Weird lang talaga yung nangyari. Ang dami kong bagsak sa career ko, pero first time yun," Aguilar said.
Ginebra head coach Tim Cone said he's happy to see Aguilar back, but they are tempering expectations as he finds his rhythm.
"Well, we certainly want him to, you know, to be comfortable getting back into the play. We didn't want to extend the minutes too long, but we really wanted to get in and get a feel for the competition. And, you know, you're out for a week, two weeks, and then all of a sudden you come back and you have to guard Bol Bol And I tell you, that was a tough assignment," he said.
"But we set some things up for him a little early. And you can tell he didn't have his rhythm. But as the game progressed, I thought he played better and better. And he's going to be a force for us in the in the playoffs," Cone added.
The Gin Kings will have a twice-to-beat edge in the playoffs against seventh seed Phoenix Fuel Masters.
Ginebra and Phoenix will clash on Friday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.