CHICAGO – A staple at Barangay Ginebra since arriving from the pier of NorthPort via a September 22 trade, Jamie Malonzo is respected by his teammates and adored by the Never-Say-Die fans.
Malonzo, the No. 2 overall pick of the 2020 PBA Rookie Draft, is also extremely well-paid.
“Syempre naman, nasa top tier na ‘yan nila ni Calvin Oftana,” said a local agent, who requested anonymity and hinted that the soft-spoken forward is likely pulling in at least P800,000 a month plus perks and bonuses.
But now that he has left the Gin Kings’ court, the 6-foot-7, 210-lb. Fil-Am is about to enter a whole new level of grabbing the bag.
An NBA agent who services clients in Asia told me that players of Malonzo’s caliber, armed with mad skills and stout national team credentials, typically receive a starting salary of $40,000 a month or P2.24 million.
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SALARY INCREASE.
If he does well, as expected, with the Kyoto Hannaryz of the Japan B.League, Malonzo could get a bump of $50,000 a month, the figure which is believed to be what Thirdy Ravena was being paid before he left for Dubai.
At age 29, it’s safe to say that he left Ginebra for greener pastures. And nobody should blame him for looking to feather his retirement nest. Playing hoops, after all, has a limited life span.
“Not surprised but didn’t expect it,” former PBA player and Hannaryz point guard Matthew Wright said of Jamie’s Japan leap.
“It’s a great city,” Wright said of Kyoto while adding that Malonzo will play for a “promising fan base.”
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Malonzo’s personal gains – more moolah and the chance to hoop internationally – are almost incalculable. Ginebra, on the other hand, lost a vital cog who averaged 13.1 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game.
Beyond the offensive statistical haul, Jamie is an average defender who has grown familiar with coach Tim Cone’s system.
SEE YA LATER.
Kudos to Ginebra for supporting Malonzo’s flight.
“We’re never going to hold back a player who wants to better his situation,” Cone told SPIN.ph.
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Malonzo is by far the biggest name, a one-time champion and two-time All-Star, to leave the PBA.
He won’t be the last.
The money overseas is simply too rich to pass up. And when you add contract sweeteners such as the free use of a car and a free apartment to live in, playing in Japan doesn’t seem like a job anymore.
It’s like living the dream.
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