JAMIE Malonzo makes his long awaited comeback for Barangay Ginebra after the team reactivated him for its PBA Commissioner's Cup game against defending champion San Miguel on Sunday.
The 28-year-old power forward was elevated in the active roster Friday in lieu of guard Jeremiah Gray.
Malonzo last played for the Kings April 14 a year ago in a 95-88 win over NorthPort during the Season 48 Philippine Cup.
He went down with a calf injury in the waning seconds of the game and has been out of commission ever since.
The Fil-Am player from De La Salle underwent surgery during the off season, making him miss the season-opener Governors' Cup and Gilas Pilipinas' campaign in the FIBA Olympic qualifier and the second window of the Asia Cup qualifying meet as he undergoes therapy and rehab.
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But he began practicing with Barangay Ginebra at the start of the second conference as coach Tim Cone projected at least a January return for the former no. 2 overall pick.
His reactivation, however, doesn't guarantee playing outright for Ginebra in its 7:30 p.m. encounter with San Miguel at the Smart Araneta Coliseum when action in the league resumes after the holiday break.
"He's a game time decision," according to Cone.
Malonzo's return however, is a timely development for the Kings who are on a two-game winning run so far before going on a 10-day respite.
Ginebra is running fifth with a 4-2 record, but is coming off an inspiring 95-92 win over rival Magnolia in a Christmas Day game where it rallied back from a 22-point deficit before leaning on a Scottie Thompson game-winning three at the buzzer. (RG)
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