JAMIE Malonzo is still not fit enough to play for Gilas Pilipinas in the coming window of the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers.
National coach Tim Cone said the 28-year-old high-flyer will have to play first for Ginebra and get his rhythm back before he’s brought back to the Gilas program.
The second window of the Asia Cup qualifiers is set Nov. 21-24 at the Mall of Asia Arena against visiting teams New Zealand and Hong Kong.
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“No, he won’t play with Gilas until he gets back with Ginebra, and plays with Ginebra first,” said Cone at the end of the PBA Governors’ Cup title series which the TNT Tropang Giga won over the Kings Friday night.
“He has to play with Ginebra, before he’s available to play for Gilas.”
Malonzo has been attending the finals in civilian clothes as he continues to recover from calf surgery last summer.
He has yet to practice or play competitive basketball since going down with the injury during the Philippine Cup eliminations.
Asked if the Fil-Am player would already be available to suit up for the Kings in the mid-season Commissioner’s Cup, Cone could only keep his fingers crossed.
“We hope so. We’re hoping that he and Maya (Jeremiah Gray) would both be available next conference,” said Cone. “Nnot a slam dunk, but I think it would take more time.”
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