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| Jamie Malonzo's days in Kyoto are over after just five games. Japan B.League (file photo) |
MANILA--After only five games, Jamie Malonzo is leaving Kyoto Hannaryz.
The Japan B.League team confirmed on Friday that it has let go of the former Ginebra high-flying forward.
We have mutually agreed to terminate the contract with Jamie Malonzo," Kyoto said in a statement.
Kouta Matsushima, the team's president, then explained in a separate statement that they had to waive Malonzo to make room for veteran wingman Chehales Tapscott.
"With Chehales Tapscott having only recently joined the team, it became imperative to strengthen our inside position to avoid placing excessive strain on him. Therefore, we have mutually agreed to terminate Jamie Malonzo's contract. Jamie Malonzo is a wonderful person who has worked hard every day to adjust to his new environment. While this is a difficult decision, we appreciate your understanding. We are currently in contract negotiations with a new naturalized/Asian player and will report on the details once the contract is finalized," Matsushima said.
The Hannaryz struggled early in the B.League season, dropping to 1-4.
Malonzo himself was on a slump, only scoring a total of six points in those five matches, while logging a total of 33 minutes of basketball action.
PBA commissioner Willie Marcial then confirmed that a potential return to the domestic league for Malonzo is ruled out, as he is covered by a new free agency rule.
This rule states that players who decide not to re-sign with their mother teams and join another league instead cannot return to the PBA for three years.
The same rule also prohibits Arvin Tolentino from rejoining the team now known as Titan Ultra immediately after signing with KBL title contender Seoul SK.
