Gilas eyes Malonzo for SEA Games

Jamie Malonzo (3) for Gilas Pilipinas

(FIBA)

MANILA, Philippines — Will we see Jamie Malonzo suit up for Gilas Pilipinas in the upcoming Southeast Asian Games?

Gilas head coach for the SEA Games head coach Norman Black said he will be sending feelers for Malonzo, whose Japan B.League contract was mutually terminated earlier this week, for a possible tour of duty in the Thailand Games.

“I just heard Malonzo is available now. Obviously, I'm gonna call him and try to see whether he would be interested in playing,” Black said in an interview aired over Noli Eala’s Power and Play program.

Malonzo was waived by the Kyoto Hannaryz earlier this week after just five games. He said he is 100% healthy and is in talks with other Japan teams.

Meanwhile, Black on Saturday said he now has 11 players in his lineup.

Aside from the initial players named in the lineup – Ray Parks, Matthew Wright, Remy Martin, Ange Kouame, Justin Brownlee, Dave Ildefonso, Jason Brickman and Veejay Pre – three more names were included in the list.

International hoops trailblazer Thirdy Ravena, and collegiate standouts Kymani Ladi and Mike Phillips were included in the list.

But everything is still fluid, Black said, depending on whether or not eligibility rules stand.

Aside from Malonzo, he will also look at Greg Slaughter, who said he is seeking a way back to the PBA.

“If they change the rules. I'm down to six players. I'm down to five players, six players. So I need to add players. Particularly big guys,” he said.

“I'm gonna lose Kouame or Brownlee. One of them cannot play. I would need size. Because I'm gonna lose Phillips, I'm gonna lose Ladi. These guys are big guys. They're tall guys. So, definitely, Greg would be somebody we would want to consider."

Black underscored that whatever happens, they are aiming to assemble the best team possible as Gilas tries to defend its SEA Games title.

“My attitude right now towards this is that I'm going to put together the best team that I can. And I'm gonna go there and try to win the championship. That's my attitude,” he stressed.

“Those who want to play, I welcome them. Those who have other plans, I can't get stuck with that.”