Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings’ Jamie Malonzo during the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals against San Miguel Beermen. -MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Barangay Ginebra coach Tim Cone said he was not surprised by Jamie Malonzo’s decision to take his act to Japan and play for B.League club Kyoto Hannaryz.

Cone bared that Ginebra has long been aware of Malonzo’s desire to move overseas, which became a reality Thursday when the Hannaryz announced the shock signing.

READ: Jamie Malonzo leaves Ginebra, joins Japan B.League team Kyoto

“We’ve known for a couple of years that Jamie had interest in playing in Japan. So it was not a big surprise,” Cone said in a story written by Spin.ph.

Malonzo has been with Ginebra since being traded from NorthPort in exchange for Arvin Tolentino in 2022, and even signed a two-year extension to remain a Gin King the following year.

But a calf injury sidelined Malonzo for much of the 2024 Philippine Cup and the whole duration of the 2024 Governors’ Cup before returning to action last January.

READ: PBA: Ginebra, Tim Cone not rushing Jamie Malonzo’s return

The injury has not prevented Malonzo from getting an offer from the Hannaryz, who once had ex-Phoenix star Matthew Wright as their Asian player.

As much as Ginebra was disappointed with Malonzo’s departure, Cone said that he would not “hold back a player who wants to better his situation.”

Cone and Malonzo are currently in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia to represent Gilas Pilipinas in the Fiba Asia Cup which starts Tuesday.