"Cone discusses Malonzo's absence in the Asia Cup: 'His chance will arrive'"
Jamie Malonzo Remains on the Sidelines for Gilas Pilipinas in FIBA Asia Cup
Jamie Malonzo, the talented Filipino basketball player, has yet to see action in the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup. Despite the team's impressive roster, coach Tim Cone has praised Malonzo's professionalism and compared his limited court time to that of NBA star Jayson Tatum.
In a highly competitive lineup, Malonzo finds himself in a bench role. Cone has emphasised that this is a result of strategic rotation decisions rather than a reflection of Malonzo's skills or potential. "Jamie is our Jayson Tatum," Cone said, drawing a parallel to Tatum's situation with Team USA during the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Tatum, a four-time All-NBA First Team member, found himself riding the bench in a team that featured future Hall of Famers LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant. Malonzo, too, has been sidelined in a team loaded with talent, making it difficult for the coach to give playing time to all 12 members.
Despite not playing, Malonzo has been supportive of his teammates and the goals of the team, according to Cone. The Philippines, who finished third in Group D, won a game against Iraq in the FIBA Asia Cup with a score of 66-57. Malonzo remained on the bench despite a double-digit lead in the final six minutes.
As the tournament progresses, Malonzo has the potential to make his Asia Cup debut in the Philippines' quarterfinals match. The team will play against the Group C second placer. The game is scheduled for a future date, and fans at the King Abdullah Sports City have already shown their support for Malonzo, chanting his surname in the fourth quarter.
Coach Cone expressed that he feels worse about not playing Malonzo than anyone else. "I wish I could give him more playing time, but we're trying to balance talent and roles," Cone said. He added that Malonzo's time will come.
In a recent move, Malonzo left Barangay Ginebra to sign with the Kyoto Hannaryz before the Asia Cup. The Philippines' roster is filled with players from various teams, making it a formidable force in the tournament.
Our website.com is your go-to source for the latest updates on the FIBA Asia Cup and the Philippines' basketball team, Gilas Pilipinas. Stay tuned for more news and updates as the tournament continues.
Despite his talent, Jamie Malonzo, like NBA star Jayson Tatum in Team USA during the 2024 Paris Olympics, finds himself on the sidelines in the Philippines' basketball team, Gilas Pilipinas, due to the team's high level of talent and strategic rotation decisions. In the upcoming quarterfinals match of the FIBA Asia Cup, Malonzo has the potential to make his Asia Cup debut.
