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Jamie Malonzo of Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA World Cup Asia Qualifier match against Lebanon. – FIBA BASKETBALL
BOCAUE, Bulacan – Jamie Malonzo felt comfortable at the Philippine Arena as he put on a show in front of 19,829 fans during Gilas Pilipinas’ 107-96 win over Lebanon in the 2023 Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers on Friday.
Last January 15, Malonzo helped Barangay Ginebra win the PBA Commissioner’s Cup crown by defeating the Bay Area Dragons in Game 7, 114-99, before a record-breaking crowd of 54,589 in Bocaue.
In his first Gilas game at the same venue, the 26-year-old winger picked up 15 points, five rebounds, three assists, and two blocks off the bench.
“It’s different, I have a blue jersey in front of a red jersey. As a fan, the feeling of the big arena and just everyone there. I feel like at home, always playing again in front of the crowd,” said Malonzo.
“It’s really exciting to play in Game 7 and play here tonight. It’s definitely a familiar feeling. It feels like home.”
Malonzo, who is making his third straight appearance for the national team, said his goal is to have fun.
That’s how you break the full court press 💥 Jamie Malonzo with authority!#FIBAWC x #WinForPilipinas 🇵🇭 pic.twitter.com/CQ9gOfxwmF
– FIBA Basketball World Cup (@FIBAWC) February 24, 2023
“I think my goal is just to have fun. I really don’t know how it’s going to go, so I just want to go out there the hardest for the country,” he said. “That’s what I did. It’s fun, of course, playing for the fans.
The Filipino-American player also treated the fans with a highlight reel with both highlights off Scottie Thompson’s assist to give Gilas a 60-48 lead with seven minutes to play in the third.
“I like that Scottie is going to play the right way. It’s a point guard,” Malonzo said. “It fell to me and of course, I want to give the fans what they want to see, highlights and exciting basketball.”
Gilas is trying to end qualification with a goal of a fifth straight win against Jordan on Monday before hosting the World Cup in August.
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