FILE– Gilas Pilipinas’ Jamie Malonzo. –FIBA PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Gilas Pilipinas will still be missing the services of Ginebra star Jamie Malonzo for the second window of the 2025 Fiba Asia Cup Qualifiers, coach Tim Cone confirmed on Wednesday.
In a press conference in Mandaluyong, Cone bared that Malonzo would not be able to go back in action for the Fiba qualifying happening in Manila due to his calf injury since April.
“Jamie is not available[…] It’s been ‘sayang’ that we haven’t had him,” said Cone.
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Furthermore, the top coach said that before Malonzo could don the Gilas jersey again, he’d have to get his rhythm back for his mother team Ginebra first.
Cone is hoping that happens for the upcoming Commissioner’s Cup.
“I think Jamie needs to get back into the Ginebra lineup and get comfortable there (again) before he gets back into the Gilas lineup. Hopefully, that’ll happen within the next month or two.
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Even with a torn calf that Malonzo sustained earlier this year, Cone emphasized that he’s still included in the national team’s pool.
Malonzo, after all, is an integral part of Cone’s continuity plan with Gilas Pilipinas.
“He’s still very much an important part of the pool, only because he’s one of those hybrid players who can play multiple positions and can defend multiple types of players,” Cone said.
“He’s a guy who can run out in the open court and give us a different feel for how we want to play if it’s necessary to go uptempo or play the game at a higher pace. He gives us that versatility and that’s why he’s so valuable to us.”