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| Jamie Malonzo remained out for Ginebra against San Miguel even if he is already healthy enough for a return. Dennis Acosta (file photo) |
MANILA--Even if he was brought back into the active lineup, Jamie Malonzo did not see action for Ginebra when the team opened 2025 with a huge win against San Miguel in their PBA Commissioner's Cup on Sunday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
Although he said the six-foot-seven high-flying forward is now fully healthy after a lengthy layoff due to a calf injury, Gin Kings head coach Tim Cone said Malonzo is still not in enough game shape to say he can really return to action.
"He's healthy and ready to go, but he's not in the proper true game shape yet. He's not in proper rhythm to play," Cone said after their win against the Beermen.
The next possible game where Malonzo could finally make his season debut is against NorthPort on Wednesday night at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.
Curiously enough, it was against the Batang Pier where Malonzo hurt his calf last April which forced him to miss out the rest of last year's Philippine Cup and this season's Governors' Cup as well as two FIBA windows for Gilas Pilipinas also coached by Cone.
At the moment, Malonzo is considered "questionable" for the game.
"It depends on how he practices over the next two days," Cone further said.
However, he assured Malonzo's return is imminent.
"It could be any game," Cone added.
"Now, it's about really getting into game shape for him, and we don't want him to go in and not be in shape and then have risked injury again. So we want to make sure he's in 100 percent shape before he comes back."
Cone then said that Malonzo remains part of Gilas' "main 12", but the legendary coach added the forward's Ginebra return will be the gauge if he is ready to play for national team against Chinese Taipei and New Zealand next month in the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers February window.
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