MANILA – Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings has injected young blood to its aging roster with the acquisition of Jamie Malonzo and Von Pessumal ahead of the 2022 PBA Commissioner’s Cup in separate trades on Tuesday.
The Gin Kings first secured the services of Malonzo from NorthPort Batang Pier in exchange for Arvin Tolentino, Prince Caperal and 2022 (48th Season) first round draft pick.
The Batang Pier then entered in a separate deal with the San Miguel Beermen where they acquired Pessumal in exchange for 2024 (50th Season) and 2025 (51st Season) second round picks.
The Batang Pier then quickly shipped Pessumal to the Gin Kings in exchange for Negrense gunner Jeffrei Chan and reserve guard Kent Salado.
The news of Malonzo trade to the Gin Kings did not come as a surprise as he was already spotted in the training facility of the Barangay Ginebra following his recent Gilas Pilipinas stint.
With the completion of the player swap transaction, Malonzo is set fortify the Gin Kings’ frontline rotation, which is led by Filipino-German center Christian Standhardinger, Japeth Aguilar and Sidney Onwubere.
The 6-foot-7 Malonzo had solid averages of 17.2 points, 10.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.9 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game for the Batang Pier in the just-concluded 2022 PBA Philippine Cup.
Pessumal, a known three-point shooter from his college days with Ateneo Blue Eagles, will also be a welcome addition on the Kings’ guard rotation after serving as a reserve for almost his entire stint with the Beermen.
Chan, Tolentino, Caperal and Salado will join the growling list of former Ginebra players at the Batang Pier camp. They could make their NorthPort debut at the start of PBA Commissioner’s Cup tonight against Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters.
This blockbuster trade came just after the league approved the trade that send Calvin Oftana and Raul Soyud to TNT Tropang Giga, Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser and two second round picks to NLEX Road Warriors and Jeth Troy Rosario and Gab Banal to Blackwater Bossing on Monday./PN
