Cone sees Malonzo as future Ginebra franchise player
MANILA, Philippines – Barangay Ginebra coach Tim Cone sees newly acquired Jamie Malonzo as a potential cornerstone of the league’s most popular ballclub moving forward.
“Jamie is young, athletic, long and explosive. What’s not to like? He’s a player we can build around over the next several years,” Cone told The STAR yesterday after the three-way trade with Malonzo’s team NorthPort and San Miguel Beer got approval from the PBA.
To get their hands on the athletic Filipino-American, however, the Gin Kings had to let go of Arvin Tolentino and Prince Caperal, two vital cogs in their playoffs runs over the last three years, and their first-round pick in the 2023 draft.
“We had to give up a lot to get him. A marquee young player, a shooting big, plus our first round pick. It was an expensive get,” Cone noted.
The Gin Kings likewise got Von Pessumal, whom NorthPort acquired from SMB, but handed over veteran sniper Jeff Chan and Kent Salado to the Batang Pier.
Cone feels Pessumal will fit right in.
“Von has been stuck behind the great Marcio Lassiter for the last few years and hasn’t been able to carve out a consistent role and playing time with SMB. We’re going to give him that opportunity to carve out a role with us here and see where it takes him. Sometimes players just need a change of scenery. We’ll see if that holds true for Von.”
The arrival of Malonzo and Pessumal further bolstered Ginebra's already stacked local crew led by Season 46 MVP Scottie Thompson, Japeth Aguilar, LA Tenorio, Christian Standhardinger and Stanley Pringle and resident import Justin Brownlee. Fil-Am rookie Jeremiah Gray, a trade acquisition from Terrafirma, is also expected to report to action during the Commissioner's Cup coming off his ACL injury.
- Latest
- Trending
