He could've given Gilas size, athleticism, and shooting.
Gilas Pilipinas’ plans for redemption at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia this coming May has hit a slight snag, as high-flying Barangay Ginebra San Miguel swingman begged off from the team.
While no one is guaranteed to make the SEA Games-bound Gilas squad, Malonzo appeared to be a shoo-in given his impressive stint in the sixth window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers. He is, not to mention, a 6-foot-7 forward who would have added size and athleticism to Gilas’ wings.
But all that is moot now with the 26-year-old being unable to suit up for the biennial meet. Veteran sports analyst Quinito Henson broke the news on Twitter, and according to him, Malonzo will miss Gilas’ Cambodia campaign due to a family matter.
“Jamie Malonzo has spoken to Gilas coach Chot [Reyes] to beg off from SEA Games because of a longstanding commitment to a close nephew to attend his wedding in [the] US,” Henson tweeted.
Curiously, the longtime PBA commentator seems aware of what Malonzo can bring to the table for Gilas, saying in the same tweet that the Philippines will “miss Jamie who has done so much for Gilas.”
In six games with Gilas in the qualifiers, Malonzo averaged 5.8 points, 2.5 rebounds, 0.7 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.7 blocks. But in the sixth window here in the Philippines back in February, Malonzo posted per game averages of 13 points, 5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block on 23.5 minutes of action.
Malonzo is also coming off a spectacular Governors’ Cup campaign, averaging 17.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game for Ginebra.