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Jamie Malonzo returns as Barangay Ginebra overpowers Blackwater
Jamie Malonzo made a triumphant return as Barangay Ginebra eked out an 86-63 win over the Blackwater Bossing in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup on Sunday night, January 12, at the Ynares Center Antipolo.
The Gin Kings missed the services of the 6-foot-7 athletic wingman due to a calf injury that had sidelined him for nine months.
Malonzo registered eight points on top of three rebounds and a steal that saw the return of the crowd darling back to the win column, sitting at 6-3 in the team standings, tied with Converge and guest team, Hong Kong Eastern.
Ginebra head coach Tim Cone admitted that they are still gradually reintroducing Malonzo into their lineup, with limited to just 10 minutes of action off the bench.
PHOTO COURTESY: PBA
“For Jamie himself, it has been a long, long road for him,” Cone said during the postgame interview. “So it was just a culmination of his hard work to return. He’s still on a minutes restriction, and we will continue to monitor in our next games.”
Ginebra, which had a 39-32 advantage at the half, put up a 23-9 run at 2:37 of the third period, which was completed by a Malonzo dunk off a Scottie Thompson pass.
Malonzo then made two free throws after getting an and-one, giving Ginebra a 66-45 lead going into the payoff period.
Justin Brownlee top scored for the Gin Kings with 18 markers, seven boards, four dimes, and one block, while RJ Abarrientos backstopped the efforts of the resident import as he scattered 15 points on the stat sheet along with two rebounds, and one assist to earn him Best Player of the Game honors.
Ginebra will try to build on this win when they face the TNT Tropang Giga on Friday, January 17, at the Philsports Arena.
George King led Blackwater in the losing effort with a game-high 27 markers and six boards as they absorbed a 1-7 win-loss record in the rankings.
Jaydee Tungcab was the only other player to score in double figures with 10 points.
Blackwater will aim to halt its skid against the flunking Terrafirma Dyip on Wednesday, January 15, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The Scores:
GINEBRA 86 – Brownlee 18, Abarrientos 15, J.Aguilar 10, Ahanmisi 9, Malonzo 8, Holt 8, Rosario 8, Thompson 5, Pessumal 5, Cu 0, Mariano 0, Adamos 0, Pinto 0.
BLACKWATER 63 – King 27, Tungcab 10, Suerte 9, David 5, Kwekuteye 4, Ponferrada 3, Guinto 2, Montalbo 0, Chua 0, Corteza 0, Hill 0, Casio 0, Jopia 0, Escoto 0.
Quarter Scores: 19-13, 39-32, 66-45, 86-63.
