Tim Cone is not denying that he’s hearing the growing clamor to give Jamie Malonzo playing time in the ongoing FIBA Asia Cup 2025.
In fact, the majority of the 1,808 fans inside King Abdullah Sports City on Saturday chanted “MA-LON-ZO” during the closing moments of Gilas Pilipinas Men’s 66-57 win over Iraq.
The 29-year-old athletic forward, who recently signed with Kyoto, was the only Gilas player who did not log any minutes during the group phase of the continental showpiece.
But Cone, who coached Malonzo for three years at Ginebra, admitted it pains him not to put the high-flying forward on the court.
“It’s hard playing all 12 players with this much talent on the team, and no one feels worse about not playing him than me,” Cone told members of the press in a text message.
“He is our Jayson Tatum.”
(C) PBA Images
During the Paris 2024 Men’s Olympic Basketball Tournament, Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton — both stars in their own right — also saw limited minutes during Team USA’s golden run.
Tatum totaled just 71 minutes in four games, while Haliburton played only 26 minutes in three games. That squad featured the likes of LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant, among others.
Now, Gilas will face host Saudi Arabia on Monday with a quarterfinal berth on the line.
Though not guaranteeing Malonzo will take the floor, Cone assured that “his time will come.”
Still, the veteran coach commended Malonzo for staying engaged and supportive despite not seeing action.
“All 12 guys are committed to each other and Jamie is showing great professionalism in handling his role,” he said.
“He’s been very supportive of his teammates and the goals that we have.”
