BARANGAY Ginebra saw it coming.
Coach Tim Cone said he was no longer in shock when Jamie Malonzo decided to take his act in the Japan B.League instead of renewing his contract with the most popular ballclub in the PBA.
The 67-year-old champion coach said Malonzo himself has been vocal about his desire to relocate to the Land of the Rising Sun in exchange for his spot among the valuable stars of the highly-regarded franchise.
“We’ve known for a couple of years that Jamie had interest in playing in Japan. So it was not a big surprise,” said, Cone sharing his thoughts to SPIN.ph from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia where Gilas Pilipinas arrived on Thursday for next week’s 31st FIBA Asia Cup.
Ironically, Cone and Malonzo are together with the national team in the Middle East when Japanese ballclub Kyoto Hannaryz officially announced its acquisition of the high-flying, 6-foot-7 forward out of De La Salle for the 2025-26 season of the B. eague.
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The 29-year-old Malonzo was acquired by the Kings in a 2022 trade with Northport following an impressive rookie season with the Batang Pier which saw him average 14.1 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.4 steals.
Ginebra gave up Arvin Tolentino, Prince Caperal, and a future first-round pick to acquire Malonzo and shooting guard Von Pessumal.
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Malonzo won his first and only league championship with Barangay Ginebra during the 2022-23 Commissioner’s Cup.
As his popularity soared with the Kings, the Fil-Am player made the All-Star twice and was a member of the First Mythical Team in 2023.
It was also while with Ginebra thay Malonzo became part of the Gilas program, suiting up in the FIBA World Cup in Manila.
He was grounded for almost a year after undergoing calf surgery during the off-season, and didn’t return to action until midway through the Commissioner’s Cup eliminations. The Kings eventually made the finals but lost to TNT in the best-of-seven series that went the full route.
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The Kings lost to eventual Philippine Cup champion San Miguel Beermen in Game 7 of the semifinals in what proved to be Malonzo’s final outing in a Ginebra uniform.
In the 37 games he played upon returning from injury, Malonzo averaged 11.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists.
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Cone admitted the Kings we’re ‘certainly disappointed Jamie wanted to leave Ginebra.’
But was quick to add, “We’re never going to hold back a player who wants to better his situation.”
“So, we wish him well.”
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