CONTRARY to perceptions that he’s gone fat and out of shape, power forward Jamie Malonzo claimed that he’s actually trying to bulk up after undergoing surgery earlier in the year.

The Barangay Ginebra winger said that he is actually heeding the advice of his doctors to bulk up after undergoing surgery on his injured calf last summer.

“I’ve been bulking up. When you go into surgery, you lose muscle in certain parts and areas, so it was important to bulk up,” said the 6-foot-7 Fil-Am forward.

That explained why Malonzo appeared to have gained weight whenever he shows up in Barangay Ginebra games in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, the last of which came on Christmas Day in a 95-92 dramatic win over rival Magnolia.

Malonzo broke into a huge smile when the matter shifted to his weight.

“Everybody’s been calling me fat,” he said. “Everybody’s calling me fat, but I’ve been bulking up and trying to gain more muscles.”

Ginebra coach Tim Cone earlier said Malonzo and possibly, Isaac Go, are targeted for a January return, a statement the Gilas Pilipinas stalwart neither confirmed nor denied.

But he did say he’s began joining the Kings in practices.

“It’s still a work in progress. I’ve been participating, but not entirely yet,” added Malonzo.

The big man out of De La Salle has been out of action for almost seven months now, making him miss both the playoffs of the Philippine Cup and Governors’ Cup.

He hasn’t actually suited up yet for the entire Season 49, while also missing out on Gilas Pilipinas’ stint in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament and the second window of the Asia Cup qualifiers.