ANTIPOLO — A nagging shoulder injury is the reason why Jamie Malonzo had to back out for the 2023 PBA All-Star Slam Dunk Competition.
The Ginebra winger said that he really wanted to take part in the Skills Challenge’s banner event, but ultimately withdrew just days before the midseason festivities set to take place in Passi City, Iloilo this week.
“I’m sad about it, too,” he said shortly after the Kings’ 109-104 win over Terrafirma in the Governors’ Cup, Wednesday at the Ynares Center here.
“But I just got little nagging injuries — I got a little shoulder [injury] that’s bothering me. If it wasn’t for my body, I’d do it for the fans,” he added.
Malonzo emerged as a favorite to rule the contest upon the announcement that he’ll be part of it together with Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser of NLEX, Blackwater’s Tyrus Hill, David Murrell of Converge, and Chris Lalata of Phoenix.
But the Slam Dunk Competition may have to wait for a little longer to be graced by the 26-year-old following his decision to pull out.
He deemed it best to ‘take this one easy’ and instead use the time to get more rest and recovery time, which he surely deserves after going through a rigorous stretch juggling PBA and Gilas Pilipinas duties for the past few months.
“I’ve been playing through a lot of stuff, so I just decided that I’m gonna take this one easy,” said the former second overall pick.
Malonzo regrets not being able to take part in the contest but vowed that he’ll ‘put on a show’ come the much-awaited All-Star Game.
He’s part of captain Japeth Aguilar’s team, together with Arwind Santos, Paul Lee, Chris Newsome, Raymond Almazan, Roger Pogoy, Gian Mamuyac, Jeremiah Gray, Nards Pinto, Alex Cabagnot, Calvin Oftana, and Jio Jalalon.
“I’ll be in the All-Star Game, and I’ll still put on a show for that,” the sophomore out of De La Salle said. “I’m sorry for the fans, but I will be there for the All-Star Game. I will show the dunks I got. I’ll give you what I got.”
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The second game of each PBA gameday is live-streamed on SMART Sports.
