La Salle’s Jamie Malonzo dazzles in UAAP debut

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—The first few games of the UAAP Season 82 men’s basketball tournament saw some dazzling debuts.

Rhenz Abando made a name for himself when he led University of Santo Tomas’ 95-82 season opening win over University of the East on Wednesday, putting up 22 points, four rebounds, three assists, and two steals.

Abando needed one whole game to introduce himself, De La Salle’s Jamie Malonzo needed just one play.

In the first of two Ateneo-La Salle games this season, Malonzo announced his arrival in the UAAP with a brutal two-handed poster dunk on reigning Finals MVP Thirdy Ravena in the first quarter of the showdown.

Not only did Malonzo threw one down on Ravena, he also escaped a possible technical foul for taunting after the dunk.

“It was very emotional, you know, the fans and the stuff probably got into my head,” said Malonzo Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum. “It was a very emotional play.”

“I sort of let the emotions get the best of me, but it’s just the game of basketball in itself and it was a good play.”

Malonzo’s play, however, turned out to be one of the few bright moments for the Green Archers in the game as Ateneo took the 81-69 victory.

“Opening up with the best team in the league is probably always going to be a challenge but I think we have a lot of improvements to work on and I think it will be good,” said Malonzo, who had 18 points and 10 rebounds.