La Familia: Why it was always the Philippines and nowhere else for Jamie Malonzo

BEIRUT (Lebanon) - Jamie Malonzo dreamt of it.

"I can't express it enough. I always had dreams of putting on a blue and yellow jersey... I would literally make edits of myself just dreaming of being on something like that."

But he never saw it coming so fast.

It was the night of January 15 and the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel had just won a Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) title by ruling the Commissioner's Cup, giving the 26-year-old his first-ever championship in the pro league.

Of course, he was all smiles and drenched due to the celebration that ensued in the locker room. And there was amazement in his eyes as well, for he could not believe that he is now living in a reality he only wished for.

Because it was just four months prior, September to be exact, when he was traded to the Gin Kings. To be sent to a powerhouse was already an honor per se, but little did he know about the crazy stretch he'd get in.

The following month saw Malonzo represent the Philippines for the first time, helping the men's team sweep both Jordan and Saudi Arabia on the road in the fifth window of the ongoing FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Asian Qualifiers.

So, he got traded, played for the flag and country, and struck gold. He checked off all that on his bucket list in only a span of months. And that's why no one can put the young winger at fault for being left in disbelief.

"It’s crazy. It’s really crazy," he said.

"I've always had thoughts, I've always had dreams. This year was a big year for me. It's been happening so, so fast," added Malonzo.

Indeed, the decision to go to the Philippines was worth it.

NOWHERE ELSE, FOR MOM

Like many other hoopers, Malonzo began immersing in basketball at a young age. It was no surprise, since his dad played D1 back in the day.

Hoops also made sure that he won't lose track of his roots while growing up in Seattle, Washington. His first team, he remembers, was an all-Asian side.

That, plus the competition he experienced by going up against his two older brothers -- or 'kuyas' -- gave him that love for the game, which eventually grew deeper when he attended O'Dea High School.

"And then, took things on from there. Knew I wanted to be a basketball player -- a pro," said Malonzo, who admitted doing different sports before taking up basketball seriously when he was about 15 years old.

After high school, he spent two years in Highline College in Des Moines before finishing his degree in communications in D1 school Portland State.

There were offers to play abroad, but he always knew where he wanted to go if given the chance: his mother's native land.

Nowhere else. 

All because of his mom.

"I actually chose the Philippines over a couple countries, like Italy. I had other offers to go places but I really wanted to come back home to the Philippines. It was always on my mind," Malonzo said.

'RECONNECTING EVERYTHING

'It was nearly three decades ago when Maria Teresa Malonzo left Pampanga in search of greener pastures, but never had the means to return.

"My mom, to be quite honest, didn't always have the most money to come back," said Jamie, who never visited the Philippines when he was younger.

That's why he wanted to bring her back. And so when the opportunity came, he grabbed it. De La Salle University came calling, leading to his one-and-done stint in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP).

Everything fell into place. His mom finally returned, and he would go on to meet his other siblings, too. Malonzo was thousands of miles away from where he came from, but he was surrounded by warmth and care of family.

All that meant the world to him.

"I had another brother and sister here that I didn't even meet until I came. My mom didn't come back for 27 years -- didn't come back until I went to La Salle. So, just stuff like that is special to me, being able to come back here," he said.

"I thought she was gonna cry 'cause she hadn't seen my brother and sister here for a long time. I don't know, maybe for me it was more emotional than my mom. It was a super great feeling just reconnecting everything," he added.

"I'm glad everything worked out."

FROM 'EDITS' TO REAL-LIFE

Malonzo has enjoyed much success here in the Philippines and he couldn't be any more grateful to be given the responsibility of representing the country.

Last October saw him become part of the Gilas pool for Window 5, but making it all the more thrilling for him was finally putting on the jersey.

He was only making photo edits of himself wearing the 'PILIPINAS' kit back in college, thus the excitement on his part to realize what he manifested.

"It was always something that I wanted to do," he said.

"I can't express it enough. I always had dreams of putting on a blue and yellow jersey. I used to be, at my old college back home in the States, I would literally make edits of myself just dreaming of being on something like that."

"Yea. I'm here now," Malonzo added.

He's part of the national pool of Coach Chot Reyes once more for Window 6 of the World Cup Qualifiers, which, for him, could be another opportunity in reaching another goal of his: playing in basketball's biggest stage.

"I just sort of want to keep intact in my goals that I have set for myself. Getting this championship tonight was definitely one of 'em. Playing in the World Cup, playing on the world stage like that is another one," he said.

"It's been happening fast. I'm just super grateful. Super grateful for this country, super grateful for my family, and super grateful for the people around me -- my teammates, my coaches, my everything. Just super grateful."

AN ENCORE, HE HOPES

Malonzo and Ginebra beat Bay Area for the Commissioner's Cup title at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan, the very same venue in which Gilas will host both Lebanon and Jordan for Window 6 later this February.

A total of 54,589 screaming souls trooped to the cavernous venue to make it a PBA Finals Game 7 to remember, and they all witnessed the sophomore pro put on a show to help his side win their 15th league championship.

Malonzo finished with 22 points and 17 rebounds, together with an assist, 2 steals, and 2 blocks in the Kings' 114-99 mauling of the Dragons coached by Brian Goorjian -- someone that he could play against soon internationally.

Aside from having that many fans, the athletic 2.01 M (6'7") winger is hoping to perform that well when he and the Filipino dribblers play there.

"I've been super curious asking around if it will fill up like that for Gilas. They said, 'Definitely.' I'm excited to be in an environment like this," he said. "I'm excited for whatever the future holds for me, honestly."

"Being part of the team and playing in an arena like that would be something I'm looking forward to. I got one good game in this arena so hopefully, one day, I have another good game," he added with a smile.

But it would surely be much sweeter if his mom would be there to watch live.

"She was here for a month and a half watching this whole playoff series. Maybe I'm gonna have my dad, but maybe it's possible I'll have my mom out here," said Malonzo, the second overall pick of the 2021 PBA Rookie Draft.

"Special moment, for sure."

FIBA