Versatile forward Jamie Malonzo is back in Barangay Ginebra’s active roster after spending almost nine months on the sidelines due to a calf injury.
He was reactivated last Friday just in time for the Kings’ return to action after the holiday break against defending champion San Miguel Beer in the Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
However, Malonzo seeing minutes inside the court after a long hiatus against a highly physical Beermen remains up in the air.
“He’s a game-time decision,” Ginebra coach Tim Cone said of the athletic Filipino-American No.2 overall Draft pick five years ago.
Malonzo returned to an active role after the Kings relegated Jeremiah Gray to the injured/reserve list.
The 28-year-old high-flyer went down with a left calf injury in the waning seconds of Ginebra’s 99-88 win over NorthPort in the Philippine Cup on 14 April last year.
He underwent surgery and was out of commission since then, including missing Gilas Pilipinas’ FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Riga, Latvia last July and the second window of the Asia Cup qualifier in Manila two months ago.