Ginebra is playing it smart with Jamie Malonzo.
The Kings would want their top winger to regain his game shape first and foremost before sending him back into action to avoid risking another injury.
It’s the reason why he was only in civvies during their eventual victory over San Miguel in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup resumption on Sunday night.
“It’s about really getting into game shape for him,” said head coach Tim Cone shortly after their 88-83 win at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
“We don’t want him to go in and not be in shape, and then risk injury again. So we wanna make sure he’s in a hundred-percent shape before coming back.”
Malonzo was expected to make his season debut against the Beermen after being reactivated by the team last Friday in lieu of Jeremiah Grey.
The development sparked excitement among fans, especially those who have been waiting to see him play since going down with a calf injury last April.
But almost nine months of being on the sidelines wasn’t easy, thus the understandable decision of the coaching staff to keep him out.
Cone, though, clarified that the 28-year-old is all cleared to play but his first game back may have to wait, depending on his progress form-wise.
“Depends on how he practices over the next two days. He’s healthy, he’s ready to go, but he’s not in the proper true game shape yet,” he said.
“He’s not in the proper rhythm to play. It could be any game.”
