Aguilar hurt, stint on hold?

GUANGZHOU – Japeth Aguilar could be out of the Gilas Phl roster in the 16th Asian Games.

Aguilar underwent a magnetic resonance imaging test here yesterday and later informed the coaching staff he’s told by a Chinese doctor that he has a slightly torn posterior collateral ligament (PCL).

Apparently bothered by the findings, the 6-foot-9 forward couldn’t decide if he’s ready to plunge into action in the games.

He hurt his right knee in a collision with a Chinese player in their tune-up game with the Dongguan Leopards in Dongguan City Thursday.

He has missed their succeeding practices and their knockout game with Kuwait Saturday.

Coach Rajko Toroman is now awaiting the arrival of Philippine Center for Sports Medicine chief Dr. Raul Canlas for his opinion.

“The diagnosis of the Chinese doctor (written in Chinese characters) only said ‘rest’ as read by our liaison officer,” said Smart Gilas trainer and conditioning coach Jimbo Saret.

A member of the coaching staff noted Aguilar has rarely completed a tournament, frequently bothered by injuries.

That’s the case when he was recruited by coach Yeng Guiao to join a PBA selection in the 2009 Fiba Asian championship in 2009. He’s also skipped a game or two in other international tourneys Smart Gilas has played.