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| After nearly nine months, Jamie Malonzo is set to return for Ginebra. Dennis Acosta (file photo) |
MANILA--If plans push through, Jamie Malonzo could make his PBA return on Sunday night when Ginebra battles San Miguel in the first doubleheader of 2025 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
Malonzo was activated for the said duel scheduled to tip off at 7:30 p.m. with the Gin Kings sending Jeremiah Gray to the injured reserve list.
Malonzo has been out since April after injuring his calf in a PBA Philippine Cup game between Ginebra and NorthPort last season.
This caused him to miss the rest of the conference, the two previous FIBA international windows in July and November for Gilas Pilipinas, and the recent Governors' Cup.
The six-foot-seven high-flying forward, though, joined Gilas and the Gin Kings, both coached by Tim Cone, in practice in hopes of a return "sometime in January."
Malonzo was seen during Ginebra's Christmas game against Magnolia with a heavier weight, but he said he bulked up mainly due to muscles and not because of fats.
"Everybody's been calling me fat, but I've been bulking up trying to gain more muscle," Malonzo said.
His return would strengthen the Gin Kings' wing rotation as they look to begin a late surge in the ongoing PBA Commissioner's Cup after a 4-2 start.
Hong Kong Eastern makes its first trip to the iconic arena also on Sunday night as they take on Meralco in the first PBA game of the new year at 5 p.m.
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