Since Barangay Ginebra activated the versatile wingman at the beginning of the season, Jamie Malonzo’s much anticipated comeback could take place on Sunday.

Two days before the Gin Kings play San Miguel to continue their campaign in the PBA 49th Season Commissioner’s Cup, Malonzo was activated after Jeremiah Gray was placed on the injured/reserve list on Friday.

Nearly nine months after suffering a calf injury in a game against NorthPort in April of last year, the Fil-Am high flyer is now eligible to play for Ginebra in his first game of the season after being added to the active roster.

Earlier, Ginebra coach Tim Cone revealed that Malonzo and Isaac Go, who has also been sidelined due to a foot injury, are being targeted for a January return.

Malonzo’s ailment has also prevented him from playing for Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers at home and the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Latvia.

The former La Salle player averaged 14.1 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 3.3 assists for the Gin Kings during their most recent appearance in the 2024 Philippine Cup.

Contrary to the belief that he is out of shape, Malonzo disclosed on Christmas Day following Barangay Ginebra’s victory over Magnolia that he has been taking part in Barangay Ginebra workouts and bulking up.

When the Gin Kings play San Miguel at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum on the opening date of 2025, they will want to improve on their 4-2 win-loss record.

Meanwhile, KYT Jimenez gets the opportunity to finally show off his skills abroad.

However, there is only one issue.

The flashy guard will have to give up his guaranteed PBA deal with San Miguel in order to sign a 10-day contract to play for the Zamboanga Valientes in a 10-day tournament in Dubai.

Even after being placed on the Beermen’s unrestricted free agent with rights to salary (UFAWR2S) list last November, Jimenez is still bound by a contract that pays him P90,000 each month and expires on December 31, 2025.

As long as they don’t join with another PBA team or teams from other leagues, unrestricted free agents are entitled to the remaining salary outlined in their uniform players contract (UPC).

In these situations, both parties agree on a buyout to allow the player to move his act to another location. However, in this instance, there is no discussion of a buyout.

Since San Miguel already had eight Fil-foreign players on its roster—more than the league allows—they were compelled to remove Jimenez from the active squad last November. 

Jimenez is regarded as a Fil-foreigner as he was born in Saudi Arabia.
In a social media message on December 30, Jimenez said goodbye to San Miguel; however, his longtime patron Arch… Jimenez is at a crossroads, according to Arnold Lanaria.

“Hindi nya alam gagawin n’ya, kasi sayang yung P90,000 a month na salary n’ya from San Miguel if mapuputol yun because he will play for Zamboanga,” said Lanaria, a chemical importer (Sumochem) and sportswear manufacturer (10ACT).

“Kaso, sayang din ang chance n’ya to play kasi may sweldo ka nga ng isang taon, tengga ka naman,” he added.

Lanaria acknowledged that the ostentatious 5-11 guard, who gained notoriety with the Mavs Phenomenal and in the MPBL but hasn’t played much since SMB signed him as its 79th overall pick last year, needed the publicity to show off his skills.

He can, however, spend the SMB contract’s guaranteed funds at the same time.

Lanaria revealed that Danny Espiritu, Jimenez’s agent, is still searching for a team to sign the flashy guard from Project 4, Quezon City, so he may play again.

Lanaria believes Jimenez will have opportunities thanks to the Valientes’ intentions.

When he meets with Jimenez on January 8, Valientes’ team owner Junnie Navarro thinks the 27-year-old guard will be prepared to sign a contract.

According to Navarro, Jimenez’s acquisition is a component of Valientes’ initiative to give talented sportsmen the opportunity to reach a higher level.

Which would you pick, if you were Jimenez: an international competition that would allow you to showcase your abilities once more, or a guaranteed contract that would pay P90,000 a month until December?