Jamie Malonzo can’t thank the entire Barangay enough for what has been a smooth transition in Ginebra, so much so that it brought him to the discussion for the PBA Commissioner’ Cup Best Player of the Conference (BPC).
The sophomore winger is no stranger to being included in the race for the highly coveted individual award but it is only now that he remained in the talks this long as the Kings reached the Finals, where they will take on Bay Area.
He’s been there during his rookie season and just last conference with NorthPort but the Batang Pier’s failure to go deep into the playoffs hurt his chances, thus the elation on his part that he remains in the hunt this time.
“It’s a good feeling. I feel like I’ve been in the race before with NorthPort but we sort of usually fall out,” offered the former La Salle winger moments after the pre-Finals presser, Friday at the Novotel Manila Araneta City in Cubao.
“Now that we’re in the Finals and my name is still sort of in the discussion, it’s something to be proud about. I’m super happy and I take pride in it.”
Malonzo placed second behind Robert Bolick in the race after the eliminations last November 30, and could potentially remain in the upper echelon of the ranks thanks to his solid play from the quarterfinals to the semis.
The 26-year-old from Seattle averaged 11.5 points, 7.25 rebounds, 2.75 assists, and 2.0 steals in the semis, playing a key role in Ginebra’s four-game conquest of long-time rivals Magnolia in the best-of-five affair.
Malonzo has undoubtedly fit in like a glove in the Barangay since arriving via trade prior to the mid-season joust and the Gilas Pilipinas forward only has his teammates to thank for it.
“I got a great coach, a great coaching staff behind him, vets, players. And from Day One, they’ve been prepping me for this moment,” he said. “Got the right people around me to build me up, help me get through this experience.
“And so far, so good, like, I can’t complain, man. We’ve been taking care of business as a team, and they’ve been great getting me up to this point, so I’m excited, see how it folds,” he added.
Now, he hopes to pay them back by helping Ginebra experience that first-time high again in winning another gold.
“These guys, you know, they’ve won. My teammates have won. They’ve been there before, they’ve done it. I’m just hoping that they can relive that first experience, first time winning experience with me,” said Malonzo.
“I’m helping them win, they’re helping me win, so it’s a team effort. And it’s something to be very excited about.”
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The second game of each PBA gameday is live-streamed on SMART Sports.
