Ginebra wins but loses Jamie Malonzo to injury in final seconds

Ginebra’s Jamie Malonzo during a game against NorthPort in the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup.–PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines—Just as Barangay Ginebra appeared to be getting into its groove, the Gin Kings have been dealt with another injury to one of their key cogs in Jamie Malonzo.

Malonzo got injured with only a couple of seconds left in Ginebra’s 95-88 win over NorthPort in the PBA Philippine Cup on Sunday and had to be carried off the floor.

“It happened in literally the last seconds of the basketball game and I didn’t even get the chance to shake coach Bonnie’s hand after the game because we were concerned about Jamie and we had to carry him off to the locker room,” said a worried Ginebra coach Tim Cone.

READ: Ginebra beats NorthPort behind Standhardinger, Ralph Cu

“It looks like a calf or Achilles issue, I’m not sure, it’s one or the other. I’m not a doctor so I don’t want to make a prognosis but we’ll get him to the doctor tomorrow or the day after, see if we can get the swelling down if there’s any.”

The Gin Kings fear that the athletic forward may have re-injured the same foot he went down with last conference a few months ago.

Cone expects Ginebra, which just got its playmaker Scottie Thompson back from injury, to be without Malonzo “for at least a few days.”

READ: PBA: Jamie Malonzo overcomes ‘tough’ times en route to career night

“At this point, he’ll be out for at least a few days. Hopefully, it doesn’t stretch into weeks or months because we can’t afford to lose him. Just like any other thing, it’s next man up.”

Malonzo finished with 14 points, six rebounds and four assists in 37 minutes of action for the Gin Kings, who have won two in a row since a humiliating loss to Terrafirma.

Ginebra takes on rival TNT next on Friday at PhilSports Arena in Pasig.