EVEN if grounded following a calf surgery, Barangay Ginebra didn’t overlook the absence of injured teammate Jamie Malonzo.
The Kings were quick to dedicate their formal entry to the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals to the 6-foot-7 Malonzo following their 99-77 victory over rival Magnolia Hotshots in the opening round of the playoffs on Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
Coach Tim Cone said the team offered the rousing win to the high-flying Fil-Am a day after undergoing surgery on his injured calf.
“Basically, this game is for him. We did it for him,” said Cone as the Kings quickly dispatched the Hotshots in their quarterfinals showdown.
Malonzo suffered the injury in the final seconds of the Kings’ 95-88 win over Northport a month ago.
The forward out of De La Salle initially wanted to have the injury heal on its own by resting, but doctors later advised him to undergo surgery instead.
He went under the knife early Friday morning and is now resting at home.
“I’m sure he watched us on TV. And I know he’s chapping in a bit to get back in, but it’s gonna take a while for him,” said Cone.
The Ginebra coach admitted it was a difficult adjustment for the Kings without having Malonzo around.
“Don’t underestimate how difficult it is for us to play without Jamie,” said Cone of Malonzo, who averaged 14.1 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 3.2 assists prior to his injury.
The surgery also meant the Ginebra forward will be out for the rest of the season and with Gilas Pilipinas in the coming Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Latvia.(RG)
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