MALONZO, LA DEPARTURE OPENS OPPORTUNITY FOR GRAY AND CO., SAYS CONE

DESPITE losing two key players in a span of five days, Tim Cone sees a silver lining in Barangay Ginebra’s coming campaign in the golden season of the PBA.

The two-time grand slam champion coach expects the other Kings to make the most of the opportunities coming their way after the departure of high-flying forward Jamie Malonzo and veteran team captain LA Tenorio.

READ Malonzo leaves Ginebra to sign with Japan B.League side Kyoto

"Now, this will give others a chance to step up and fill the void, players like Jeremiah (Gray), Aljon (Mariano), Jason (David), and others," said Cone, who is currently with Malonzo and the rest of the Gilas Pilipinas team in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia for the 31st edition of the FIBA Asia Cup.

In a stunning move on Thursday, Japan B.League ballclub Kyoto Hannaryz announced the signing of the 29-year-old Malonzo on Thursday in a development that sent shock waves among Ginebra fans.

The sudden departure of the Fil-Am forward came on the same week Tenorio was plucked out from the franchise and appointed as the new coach of Ginebra's sister team the Magnolia Hotshots.

Like Malonzo, Tenorio is also currently out of the country as he’s with the SBP talent Identification program in Las Vegas along with fellow coaches Norman Black and Pat Aquino.

2025-07-31T14:15:08Z