Forward Mike Malonzo isn’t exactly a star. He’s a role player thus far for the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, but he is certainly playing that role as well as he can. And on Sunday, in Rain or Shine’s 90-84 victory over the Converge FiberXers, Malonzo played one of his best games ever in the PBA, finishing with a 10-point, 10-rebound double-double in 18 high-quality, high-energy minutes.
Mike Malonzo played so well, in fact, that he—and he alone—got a shoutout from Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao at the postgame presser, even if teammate Gian Mamuyac earned the nod as Best Player of the Game.
Yeng Guiao Gives Mike Malonzo His Flowers
According to the fiery tactician, Mike Malonzo played big for Rain or Shine and allowed the team to match Converge’s frontline, which remained formidable even in the absence of Justin Arana, as Justine Baltazar and Larry Muyang played well for the FiberXers.
Despite Baltazar putting up 10 points and 21 rebounds, and Muyang adding 18 points and 9 boards, Rain or Shine still won the rebounding battle, 63-61, and even had more offensive caroms, 18-14, for a 15-10 Rain or Shine advantage in second-chance points. Malonzo, with his relentless hustle and effort on the boards, was a big reason the Elasto Painters weren’t completely outmatched in the paint.
“Special mention kay Mike Malonzo. Malaki naitulong niya,” said Guiao about Rain or Shine’s second-round pick in the PBA Season 49 Draft. “Rebounding effort and scoring at the right time.”
Big Effort, Small Ball
Guiao also emphasized that Rain or Shine purposely played small with the intention of speeding up the game but didn’t pay the price, thanks in part to Malonzo’s strong showing.
“We played small just to be able to speed up the game. Palagay ko nakatulong yun na kahit maliit kami, hindi kami na-agrabyado sa rebound, and then na-maintain namin yung speed ng laro,” Guiao explained. “We were able to play small because he (Malonzo) really played big (tonight).”
Indeed, Mike Malonzo played big for Rain or Shine. And now the Elasto Painters are No. 1 in the standings.
