THOUGHTS | JAMIE MALONZO'S B.LEAGUE STRUGGLES

Jamie Malonzo has taken his talents to Japan, joining the Kyoto Hannaryz of the B.League after spending last season with Barangay Ginebra San Miguel. Reports say the offer was simply too good to refuse—but it may have come at a price. Some believe his limited minutes with Gilas Pilipinas during the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup were a form of “punishment” for leaving the PBA. Still, a fat paycheck can make up for a lot… or so it seemed.

Ironically, Malonzo is seeing even less court time in Kyoto than he did with Gilas. In the Hannaryz’s October 13 game against the Shiga Lakestars, he logged just one second of playing time. In the game before that, he had 2 points and 3 rebounds in 14 minutes. In two earlier outings versus the Toyama Grouses, he managed a total of 4 points, a rebound, an assist, and a steal.

MBET PROD

Back home, Malonzo could put up those numbers in the first three minutes of a PBA game.

So was leaving Ginebra a mistake?

Maybe.

Maybe not.

The PBA isn’t exactly thrilled about players chasing overseas contracts, but the bigger challenge for Malonzo might be personal—he’s away from family and friends, adapting to a new culture, and proving his worth to a team that sees him more as an investment than a homegrown hero.

Encho Serrano once said it best: “Why play abroad when you can make a living here?” Serrano had his own offers overseas but chose to stay close to his family. Robert Bolick learned similar lessons a few years ago. It’s one thing to travel abroad for leisure—it’s another to grind out a career in unfamiliar territory.

That said, some players have thrived in the B.League. The Ravena brothers, for example, managed to carve out decent careers. But Japan isn’t the Philippines—you’re not a celebrity there, and no one’s clearing out a bar stool for you after a big game.

A few months ago, Malonzo got injured in some night out incident, and Gilas coach Tim Cone publicly defended him amid criticism. It’s fair to wonder if Kyoto saw his potential, signed him eagerly, then realized the fit wasn’t as seamless as they hoped. Or maybe this is just an adjustment phase.

Malonzo is too talented to fade quietly. Given time, we could still see the highlight-reel version of Jamie Malonzo—those explosive dunks, clutch finishes, and electric plays that made him a PBA star.

Because for all the short-lived stints we’ve seen from Filipino players abroad, the last thing we need is another one-and-done story.

Philippine basketball deserves to shine on the world stage—and players like Malonzo can help make that happen.