The high-flying Jamie Malonzo played his best game in a Ginebra uniform, and he is now a champion.
Jamie Malonzo picked the perfect time to play his best game in a Ginebra uniform — in a winner-take-all Game 7 with a mammoth, record-breaking crowd of 54,589 watching.
The high-flying wingman scored a conference-high 22 points, mostly on second-chance opportunities and in transition, and added 17 rebounds. It was a yeoman’s effort for the 26-year-old Malonzo, who seemed everywhere all at once, winning 50/50 balls for the Gin Kings, keeping possessions alive, getting out in the open court, and contesting the Dragons at the rim — including 7-5 big man Liu Chuanxing.
“When I got traded, I had a dream of all this happening, and now that it’s happening, it’s a great feeling,” said Malonzo post-game. “We have a special squad, and I’m just trying to embrace the moment.
In Game 7, Malonzo was special himself, providing game-long energy and all-out hustle that typified Ginebra’s strong, spirited effort. Malonzo was so active that, at times, it looked as if Ginebra had two Scottie Thompsons on the floor — the real Hustle Man, who had 9 boards and 6 steals, and the Fil-Am forward, who typified his boundless energy by grabbing 11 offensive rebounds. Malonzo also added 2 blocks and 1 steal in easily his best performance in these Finals, where he has largely been up and down — mostly down.
San Miguel Beerman Chris Ross, who was most likely watching at home, also took notice.
Prior to his star-making Game 7 effort, Malonzo was averaging just 6.5 points and 6.2 rebounds in the first six games of this series. He was particularly dismal in Games 4 and 6, scoring only 9 points and grabbing 9 boards for both games. He has also looked tentative at times in the past three games, all but disappearing down the stretch in each one.
All that is water under the bridge now for Ginebra’s budding superstar, who stuck to his strengths in Game 7 — elite athleticism, youthful energy, and all-out hustle — and played his best game this conference. And given the stakes, it might very well be the best game of Malonzo’s young career.