On Wednesday, May 31, Jamie Malonzo watched from the sidelines as Ginebra lost to Meralco in Game Six of their PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup semifinal match.

Context: On April 14, during Ginebra’s elimination round game versus NorthPort, Jamie Malonzo suffered a calf injury. 

On Wednesday, May 29, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, Jamie Malonzo came out of Ginebra’s dugout with a protective boot on his left leg.

Malonzo made his first public appearance since sustaining a calf injury on April 14, 2018, when taking a drive during the final moments of the Gin Kings’ 95-88 victory over NorthPort in the elimination round.

The winger turned out to cheer for his side, who ultimately suffered an 86-81 defeat at the hands of Meralco in Game Six, forcing their PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup semifinal matchup to a final.

On April 14, Jamie Malonzo just played too well in Ginebra’s elimination game against NorthPort.

Game Seven is scheduled for Friday, May 31, in San Jose, Batangas, at the FPJ Arena.

I’m a little bit annoyed since I enjoy Game Sevens. But everything is well,” Malonzo grinned.

Malonzo, on the other hand, won’t be seeing any progress anytime soon because his doctor recommended that he wear the boot for a month before starting treatment.

“I think I’ll take another month to unwind before starting therapy immediately.” likely miss a few windows, but maybe I’ll be ready to travel for the next conference,” he remarked.

Malonzo is happy to be among the Ginebra supporters who will support their team during its game against the Bolts for the final spot in the championship round.

San Miguel secured their place in the semifinals after defeating Rain or Shine in their own match.

“The guys are trying their hardest, and maybe they will succeed in Batangas.” Without a doubt, we’ll be cheering them on,” Malonzo added.

On Jamie Malonzo

Since making his professional debut, Jamie Malonzo, a well-known member of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), has advanced significantly. In the PBA Season 46 selection, Malonzo was chosen by the NorthPort Batang Pier with the second overall pick. During the 2021 and 2022 seasons, he rapidly became an important member of the squad. During his tenure with NorthPort, he improved significantly in both his shooting percentages and all-around performance, averaging 14.1 points per game (PPG) in 2021 and 15.1 PPG in the 2022–2023 campaign.

Malonzo was sent to Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in September 2022 along with Prince Caperal, Arvin Tolentino, and a first-round selection in 2022. His move to Ginebra opened a new chapter in his professional life. His career averages of 14.8 points per game (PPG), 7.9 rebounds per game (RPG), 1.4 steals per game (SPG), and 45.1% field goal percentage (FG%) were all maintained even after the trade.

Malonzo obtained his Philippine passport at the age of eight, making him qualified to represent the Philippines as a local under FIBA eligibility standards on the national arena. He participated in the 2023 FIBA World Cup as a member of the 21-man pool and made it to the final 12-man roster, helping the national team perform on a global scale.

Jamie Malonzo has established himself as a vital member of the Philippine national team and the PBA thanks to his steady performance, tenacity, and quick ascent to prominence.

On March 10, 2024, Malonzo had a serious setback as he tore his calf muscle during the PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals. He had a successful calf-achilles operation, which will require six to eight weeks of recuperation and keep him out of the game for a while.