No Baracael for Smart Gilas vs Alaska

The Smart Gilas-Pilipinas squad will be one important man less when it plays Alaska on Friday in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup. Wingman Mac Baracael is expected to be sidelined for the next six weeks after suffering an oblique fracture on his left middle finger. The 6-foot-4 forward out of Far Eastern University incurred the injury during the Nationals’ debut in the import-laden conference opposite Talk `N Text. Baracael was hacked in the hand by Texters import Paul Harris while going for a rebound late in the fourth quarter. Before going down with the injury, Baracael already had 12 points, two rebounds and three assists in an all-around effort he spiked with two big three-pointers to help the Nationals beat the Texters, 103-98. Coach Rajko Toroman admitted that sidelining Baracael would be a big blow to the team’s campaign. “It’s definitely a big setback for us, but we have to keep moving forward. There’s nothing we can do about it except to wait for his return," he said. “He’s one of our main players, so we’ll try to make some adjustments," added the Serbian coach. While the injury doesn’t require Baracael to undergo surgery, rehabilitation may mean he'll be out of action for a long while. “He’s (Baracael) probably out for the conference," said team manager Frankie Lim. But then, there’s also good news for the Nationals. Big man Japeth Aguilar is set to be reactivated against the Aces after finally getting the thumbs up to play again. The 6-foot-9 former Western Kentucky stalwart suffered a knee injury last November that kept him from playing with the team in the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou, China. - KY, RCJ, GMA News