Jamie Malonzo had made it. And then he didn’t.
One day, the former La Salle Green Archer was among the short list of Filipinos recruited to play overseas—in his case, in Japan, at the Japan B.League for Kyoto Hannaryz. The next day, he is a free agent, an in-his-prime athlete without a team and facing a future full of uncertainty.
What Happened to Jamie Malonzo
In July, Jamie Malonzo signed with the Kyoto Hannaryz after his two-year deal with Barangay Ginebra San Miguel expired. It was a shocking move, to say the least, as the one-time champ with the Barangay was not among the players heavily rumored to be on the way to any foreign league.
Three months later, the Malonzo-Kyoto marriage is officially over, with the Hannaryz officially releasing the 6-foot-6 forward on Friday in what Malonzo himself described as a mutual parting of ways. But putting two and two together, it’s easy to surmise that Kyoto was not impressed one bit by the former Ginebra forward, and the measly minutes he got—6.6 minutes per game—may be undeniable proof of this. With limited action, Malonzo could only muster per-game averages of 1.2 points and 1.0 rebounds—a far cry from the 11.4 points and 5.2 rebounds he put up in 26.2 minutes a game for Ginebra last season.
Now, what was supposed to be a story of triumph—of a high-flying forward who battled adversity and then dared to take his talents abroad—has turned into a cautionary tale about the risks of chasing greener pastures.
Why Jamie Malonzo Is Facing an Uncertain Future
At 29, Jamie Malonzo is surely not finished with hoops. He’s still in his athletic prime, and save for his calf injury two seasons ago, Malonzo has been relatively healthy. He’s going to play basketball again, but the question is where.
It’s certainly not going to be in the PBA, at least not in the next three years after the league infamously leveled a three-year ban on players who choose to play overseas. Reports have confirmed that Malonzo is covered by the rule, which, incidentally, was approved just a few days before the Fil-Am forward signed with Kyoto.
With the PBA not an option in the meantime, Malonzo’s next step depends on whether another foreign team is willing to take a chance on him. As a free agent, he’s free to negotiate a deal with any Japan B.League franchise, though he might not have any leverage whatsoever considering his underwhelming time at Kyoto. Other teams in the B2 and B3 divisions of that same league might be interested in an athletic forward, but that’s certainly not a lock.
If that route leads nowhere, Malonzo might draw interest from the KBL in South Korea or even T1 in Taiwan. But that’s not guaranteed either. His market value has surely dipped, and questions about his fit and readiness for the international game will follow him for sure. The Middle East might give him a call, though signing someone who averaged 1.2 points a game may not be too appealing for a franchise looking for an import who’s expected to provide instant impact and game-changing talent.
That leaves the Philippines and the prospect of playing in the country’s “lesser” leagues, like the MPBL and PSL. Jamie Malonzo could command a good salary in the former, but playing there is—no offense to Manny Pacquiao, the MPBL, and its players—a massive step down for a pro in his prime.
Regardless of how you feel about Malonzo and his decision to take his talents abroad, the hope now is he can find a team real quick, resume his career, and revitalize his reputation.
What the Jamie Malonzo Situation Reminds Us
Jamie Malonzo’s situation serves as a sobering example for other Filipino players eyeing a move abroad—especially those playing in the PBA. Going overseas isn’t just about chasing a paycheck or prestige. It’s about understanding timing, preparation, and relationships. Because in basketball, as in life, burning bridges can leave you stranded—and that’s evidently the case with Malonzo as far as his connection to the PBA is concerned.
The PBA, for all its imperfections, remains the bedrock of Philippine basketball. It’s where players are discovered, nurtured, and turned into stars. To walk away from that system without care or communication is risky. Once you sever that connection, you may not get it back. And if things don’t work out overseas, the doors at home might not be as open as before. That’s the situation Jamie Malonzo is facing right now.
But that’s not to say players shouldn’t dream big—they absolutely should. Malonzo’s decision came from ambition, not arrogance. Every player wants to test their limits, to prove they belong on a bigger stage. But ambition must be tempered with foresight. Going abroad should be a strategic move, not an impulsive one.
Right now, Jamie Malonzo finds himself in basketball limbo—still too good to fade away to a league like the MPBL but without a clear next step. His talent is undeniable, but in a world where opportunities are fleeting and politics can dictate careers, even stars can find themselves without a team.
