BARANGAY Ginebra do-it-all guard Scottie Thompson believes the coming new PBA season will give fit-again Jeremiah Gray an opportunity to step in and fill the void vacated by athletic wingman Jamie Malonzo.
The 6-foot-6 Malonzo surprised the Gin Kings’ legions of fans when he left the team and decided to sign up and play for the Kyoto Hannaryz in the Japan B.League last August.
The 29-year-old Malonzo has been a vital cog for Ginebra, winning a championship with the team during the 2023 Commissioner’s Cup. The former La Salle forward averaged 13.1 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists for Ginebra in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup.
But with Malonzo deciding to play in Japan, Gray, a 6-foot-6 wiry guard/forward now has a chance to blossom, especially since recovering from a knee injury.
“I think, for us right now, we have guys who can step up, especially a healthy Miah,” Thompson told sportswriters covering the PBA during the Media Day on Friday.
But the one-time PBA Most Valuable Player did admit that they are also missing Malonzo’s presence during practice as the team prepares for Season 50.
Nonetheless, the six-foot Ginebra playmaker believes Gray will do well, while keeping his fingers crossed that the Filipino-American will stay healthy.
“We’re expecting more role for Miah. And we’re praying he’ll stay healthy because we will need him,” he added in Filipino.
Ginebra is eyeing a strong bounce-back performance for the Season 50, which kicks off with the Philippine Cup on October 5.
The Gin Kings reached the semifinals of the Philippine Cup last season, where they bowed to the TNT Tropang 5G in an epic seven-game series.
Ginebra though added help during the offseason by signing veteran big man Norbert Torres, who previously played for Meralco.
The team mentored by multi-titled PBA coach Tim Cone also signed up first-round rookie pick up Sonny Estil, hopeful that the incoming freshman’s energy and hustle can add value to the Gin Kings’ title chase this coming season.
Ginebra last won the Philippine Cup in 2020 during the pandemic.
