Tim Cone says Gilas’ Jamie Malonzo ‘down and out’ after Hong Kong trip

Already undermanned to begin with, Gilas Pilipinas had to play in the absence of another key player in Jamie Malonzo during their clash against Chinese Taipei in the first window of the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers on Sunday at the PhilSports Arena.

The high-flying Barangay Ginebra wingman was the latest player in sick bay for the Philippine national men’s basketball team after big men June Mar Fajardo and AJ Edu, who were both ruled out prior to the window due to injuries.

Malonzo, according to Gilas head coach Tim Cone, had to be sidelined after getting sick from their overseas trip days ago to take on Hong Kong in the window’s opener last Thursday.

“It’s a medical thing so I don’t wanna talk too much about it,” Cone revealed on the heels of their masterful 106-53 win at home.

“We had to contemplate bringing him to the hospital [because] he’s that down and out. Hopefully, he’ll bounce back and get better. We sent our doctors to him and put him on IV, but I think maybe some of the guys just got severely dehydrated on the trip.”

READ MORE | Gilas Pilipinas at the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers

But even without Malonzo, everyone stepped up big for the nationals.

Justin Brownlee led the charge after pouring in a double-double outing of 26 points and 13 rebounds alongside five assists, two blocks, and one steal while Kai Sotto put on a show with 18 markers, 10 boards, five dimes, and three blocks to help the country complete a sweep of the opening window.

Cone eventually revealed that even Brownlee was not feeling well following their trip to Hong Kong, but the naturalized Filipino got better just in time for their homestand against Chinese Taipei.

“Actually he and Justin were both sick when we got home from Hong Kong, they both got sick and we were really afraid that neither of them would play,” Cone added.

“But Justin kind of bounced back and he’s still a little bit under the weather.”

—JMB, GMA Integrated News