Ginebra parades decimated roster in coming PBA season

WHEN Barangay Ginebra opens its campaign this season, expect the league’s most popular team to parade a decimated roster.

That’s because Ginebra is going to miss three key players in the early goings – former Most Valuable Player Scottie Thompson and athletic wingmen Jamie Malonzo and Jeremiah Gray – due to separate in injuries.

Speaking to sportswriters during the second day of the PBA Media Day presented by Arena Plus and sponsored by Banh Mi Kitchen, Don Benitos Ang Pambansang Cassava, Pickup Coffee, Taho Klasika, KangKong King, Yellow Cab Pizza, Corve Coffee, World Balance, Immuni + and Hungry Daddy held at the Le Parc Event Hall in Pasay City, Ginebra coach Tim Cone disclosed the conditions of these players.

“He has not joined our practice yet,” said the winningest coach in PBA history, referring to Thompson’s absences during the team’s daily workouts.

“We had a word that he may try things out tomorrow (Wednesday) for the first time since the end of last conference. But I don’t think he’ll be a full participant right now. I would say at this point, if I am going to look at it objectively, he’s doubtful to start the conference for us.”
Thompson is continuously being bothered by a back injury while Malonzo underwent surgery on his left calf that also forced him to miss Gilas Pilipinas’ Olympic Qualifying Tournament campaign. Malonzo, meanwhile, is still completing his recovery from an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury as well as his damaged posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) and medial collateral ligament on his right knee.

“But while working on his back issues, Scottie is now worrying on other things that bothered him, including his plantar fasciitis as well as issue on his toe and bones related on the back. He has multiple things to worry,” added Cone.

“Jamie, on the other hand, is going to be out for the next two to three months or probably three to four. I don’t see him coming back this conference. Miah (Gray) hasn’t gone back either. He looks like he’s in for another month or two away before he can get back, but we’re going to keep an open spot for him. Three key impactful players that we won’t have this conference.” (RJ)