Ginebra is taking precautionary measures before fielding in its prized forward, Jamie Malonzo, again in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup.
Jamie Malonzo was in street clothes as he watched Ginebra drub San Miguel, 93-81, from the sidelines at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao on Sunday, Jan. 5.
Before one assumes the worst, Malonzo is already healthy.
But Cone said they wanted to make sure Malonzo is at full strength when they field him in after a nine-month layoff.
Jamie Malonzo is yet to see action for Ginebra. | Photo (c) RM Chua/One Sports
“Right now, he is healthy and cleared by the trainers. But now, it’s really getting into game shape for him,” said Cone after the Gin Kings improved to a 5-2 mark in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup.
“We don’t want him to go in and not be in shape and risk injury again. So we want to make sure he is in 100 percent shape before he comes back.”
In April last year, Malonzo suffered a calf injury in the Philippine Cup against NorthPort.
Initially, he was expected to be out for just six to eight weeks.
On Saturday, Jan. 4, the Gin Kings finally activated the high-flying forward from La Salle.
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Asked if Malonzo will see action against league leader Batang Pier on Wednesday, Jan. 8, Cone was non-committal.
“It depends on how we practice over the next two days,” Cone said.
“He’s healthy. He’s ready to go, but he’s not in the proper true game shape yet. He’s not in proper rhythm to play.”