BARANGAY Ginebra star Jamie Malonzo issued an apology as he admitted being the guy getting beat up in video that became viral shortly after Gilas Pilipinas' win over Chinese-Taipei on Sunday.
PBA commissioner Willie Marcial said he had spoken to the 6-foot-5 Ginebra high-flyer, who confirmed that he was the person getting the short end of a fight with a shorter guy in a still undetermined fastfood restaurant.
READ Cone says Brownlee, Malonzo suffered from dehydration before Gilas match
Marcial though said Malonzo did suffer from gastroenteritis, as what Gilas coach Tim Cone said on Sunday, and eventually tested positive for COVID-19 that caused him to miss the Fiba Asia Cup 2025 qualifier versus Taipei.
Regardless, Marcial said Malonzo apologized to the PBA, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, Barangay Ginebra and the fans for the incident.
“Nag-usap kami at sabi niya, it was a miscommunication at it didn’t go well. Sabi niya, ‘I just want to apologize to you, the PBA, Ginebra, Ginebra fans, Gilas, Gilas fans, and the SBP,’” said Marcial, referring to his conversation with Malonzo.
“Kausap ko rin si [SBP] President Al Panlilio, kaya siya nagka-gastro, positive siya sa COVID nung Sabado. Nung Linggo, positive uli siya. Kaya hindi siya nakalaro,” said the PBA commissioner.
Marcial said the former La Salle star didn't go into detail about the incident, although SPIN.ph sources bared the incident happened in a restaurant in the BGC area and not in Hong Kong as some information going around said.
Some netizens have also identified Malonzo's protagonist as an MMA fighter. The information has yet to be confirmed.
Before the controversy, Malonzo had a good start to his Fiba Asia qualifiers campaign where he scored 11 points in the 94-64 win over Hong Kong.
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