Mike Malonzo picked the perfect night to shine. The usually low-key forward delivered a gritty double-double as Rain or Shine stormed back from 14 points down to beat Converge, 90-84, and grab the solo lead in the PBA Philippine Cup.
Coach Yeng Guiao wasted no time giving credit where it was due, singling out the 6-foot-3 NU product for anchoring the Elasto Painters’ turnaround. Malonzo finished with 10 points and 10 rebounds — the only ROS player to hit double figures in both categories — pushing the team to a 7-2 record and the top spot in the standings.
“Special mention kay Mike Malonzo. Malaki naitulong niya,” Guiao said during the post-game presser, with Best Player of the Game Gian Mamuyac nodding in agreement. The veteran coach praised Malonzo’s timing and toughness, noting his “rebounding effort and scoring at the right time.”
Malonzo’s biggest impact came in the final quarter, where he dropped seven crucial points and teamed up with Andrei Caracut, Adrian Nocum, Mamuyac, and Santi Santillan to deliver the knockout run. Their surge stopped the FiberXers cold, who were already trying to cope without injured big man Justin Arana.
Despite going small, Rain or Shine still edged Converge on the boards, 63-61 — a stat Guiao said Malonzo directly influenced.
Quiet but clutch, Malonzo made sure Rain or Shine not only completed the comeback, but also took the league’s No. 1 spot with authority.