RAIN or Shine is about to gain additional manpower with Mike Malonzo set to join the team after his stint with the MPBL.
Drafted No. 16 overall in the recent PBA draft, Malonzo is slated to practice with the Elasto Painters soon after concluding his campaign with the San Juan Knights in the MPBL a few days ago.
“We will give him a break, perhaps a week or so,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao.
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Malonzo made an impression in the draft combine when he registered a 51-inch vertical leap, although the results were later reviewed. Mark Nonoy of Terrafirma initially posted a best jump of 53 inches, but after the review, it appeared he managed only 43 inches.
He is the latest rookie in line for another spot at Rain or Shine. Caelan Tiongson, Felix Lemetti, and Francis Escandor played for the Elasto Painters last conference and helped RoS reach the semifinals before it was ousted by eventual champion TNT.
No contract has been signed yet between Malonzo and Rain or Shine, but he could potentially be an important piece for the Elasto Painters who made significant progress in the last conference. The result, however, showed they still need improvement in some areas if they hope to break an eight-year PBA title drought.
The 25-year-old second rounder averaged 7.0 points and a second-best 6.3 rebounds for the Knights in the 2024 season of the MPBL, but the team was swept by the Pampanga Giant Lanterns in the North Division finals.
The former National University player showed his all-around play in his final game of the season for San Juan when he had seven points, eight rebounds, three assists, one steal, and three blocks.
Besides Malonzo, several MPBL players are also set to join the PBA following the end of the season. The biggest name among them is Justine Baltazar, the No. 1 pick in the draft, who will join Converge at the end of the Pampanga Giant Lanterns’ campaign in the national finals against Quezon Huskers.
Also joining the PBA are Nonoy and CJ Catapusan, who have signed with Terrafirma after their stint with Iloilo.
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