COLUMN: NO NEWS ON MALONZO INJURY ISN'T EXACTLY GOOD NEWS FOR GINEBRA FANS

CHICAGO - The most harmless looking injuries in sports often turn out to be the most harmful.

It's the dreaded "non-contact injury" that has diminished, if not extinguished, the careers of so many athletes. 

With two seconds left in Barangay Ginebra's 95-88 win over NorthPort last Sunday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, Ginebra star Jamie Malono crumpled on the floor after receiving a pass from Scottie Thompson.

The grim faces of the coaching staff and the teammates who rushed to Malonzo's aid reflected the seriousness of the fall. And the fact that he had to be carried to the locker room added to the anxiety.

READ Malonzo injury a huge concern for Cone, Barangay Ginebra

More than 48 hours after the incident, San Miguel has yet to issue a statement. 

Which isn't surprising given its recent history.

When Jeremiah Gray got hurt at a PBA On Tour game last September 30, Ginebra did not immediately disclose the nature of the injury until 16 days later when the team officially announced that the high-flying wing had surgery to repair his ACL, MCL and PSL.

In the NBA, teams are required by 5 p.m. on the day before a game to "designate a participation status and identify a specific injury."  

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION

Even the Samahang Basketbol Ng Pilipinas (SBP), in the weeks leading to the FIBA World Cup 2023, demanded from Kai Sotto a copy of an MRI taken on his injured back before allowing him to practice with Gilas.

Health issues outside the playing field should be kept private but teams have an obligation to inform the public of a player's injury in a timely fashion.. 

Look, if an avid Malonzo fan wants to purchase a ticket to watch a Ginebra game, doesn't he have the right to know if his favorite player will be in action?

PHOTO: Jerome Ascano

If a bettor, wagering legally on a government-sanctioned betting platform, wants to put money on Ginebra, isn't he  entitled to know the status of Malonzo, whose presence or absence can sway the outcome of a game?

The fact that Malonzo is a member of the current Gilas team adds another layer of urgency about his condition.

Does this mean that alternates Japeth Aguilar or Mason Amos will now be upgraded to the main roster?

PRAYERS UP FOR JAMIE

The doomsday scenario, God forbid, is that Malonzo  ruptured his Achilles. A minor scare would mean a  calf or hamstring issue that is painful and would require ample recovery time.

Per multiple sources, the word being floated around Ginebra is that Malonzo is suffering from "soreness." And we are rooting for this to be whispered to the Lord's ears.

But we really don't know for sure.

Several attempts by SPIN.ph to Ginebra reach Tim Cone proved futile. You'd think by now he already has the MRI results on his hands. 

I did message a famous doctor who mends most of the big name PBA stars but his fingers were tied by client confidentiality.

Ginebra has no such restraints. 

This rigid, reflexive secrecy doesn't help restore the fans' faith in the PBA. Vague generalizations on a serious matter do not diffuse tension, only transparency can.

2024-04-17T04:17:38Z dg43tfdfdgfd