Just when Northport’s boat was about to sink in the middle of a storm made even worse by a crippled crew, an unlikely hero in rookie ace Jamie Malonzo came to the rescue.
The high-flying freshman rose from the deck and steered the Batang Pier out of the hole with a superb performance in their two big wins the past week. That stretched the team’s winning streak following a flat 0-5 start.
Malonzo’s efforts were more than enough to become the Cignal Play-PBA Press Corps Player of the Week for the period Feb. 23-27. He registered all-around numbers of 16.0 points on a 14-of-29 clip, 10.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, a steal, and a block.
He beat out Northport teammate Arwind Santos and Ginebra’s Scottie Thompson in a close race for the weekly citation handed out by the group of reporters covering the PBA beat.
The 6-foot-7 winger, picked no. 2 overall by the Batang Pier in the last draft, started his rousing week by tallying 19 points, five boards, three dimes, two steals and two blocks as Northport pulled off a huge 103-101 upset of league-leading Magnolia, handing the Hotshots their first and only defeat so far in the season-ending conference.
Malonzo hit clutch baskets down the stretch while complementing import Jamel Artis and Santos. All this, for a Northport side that misses the services of injured Kevin Ferrer, Jonathan Grey, and Art Dela Cruz; as well as top gun Robert Bolick due to his Gilas Pilipinas duty.
The product of De La Salle then sustained his showing. He came through with a double-double of 13 points and 16 rebounds in the Batang Pier’s 101-93 victory over Phoenix Super LPG.
And he did everything even though he’s nursing a finger injury (right pinkie).
“Jamie is injured,” said NorthPort coach Pido Jarencio, praising his prized rookie. “Namamaga yung pinkie niya (kaya ‘di siya maka-freethrow). Lahat ng shots niya, drive or follow-up. Talagang binigay niya puso niya sa game.
“He did his best. Gusto niya manalo.”
The Batang Pier have won their last three games for a 3-5 record, while staying in contention for a playoffs berth.
Also considered for the honor were the Ginebra duo of Japeth Aguilar and Christian Stanhardinger, along with the NLEX pair of Jericho Cruz and Kevin Alas.
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