Allein Maliksi said that he only reminded Jeron Teng to be more mindful of his actions after getting into a heated encounter during Meralco’s eventual win over San Miguel in Game 3 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals, Sunday.
The veteran gunner said that he got hit by the Beermen winger twice, leading to a confrontation at the 3:12-mark of the second period. Nothing untoward happened although both players were assessed with technical fouls each
“The first time kasi, closed fist sa mata e. Ta’s pangalawa naman, ‘di ko naman siya parang binangga or anything, parang tinukuran niya ako sa leeg,” he told reporters moments after their 93-89 victory at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
“Eh siyempre ako, I wanted to send a message na, ‘Pangalawang beses na ‘yan e’ … Ayoko nang gawin niya lang ulit, kaya kinonfront ko talaga rin siya.”
Teng, according to Maliksi, said that he did not mean to do so, but the four-time league champion was not buying any of his excuses.
“‘Di raw niya sinasadya, e paanong ‘di mo sinasadya? Sa ibabaw ng ano. Pwede naman dito lang sa katawan or something, or sa kamay,” he said.
“Pero sabi ko, nung after namin ma-technical, sabi ko ‘wag niya na lang gawin, laro lang ng maayos,” he added. “Sabi ko hindi naman ako nakikipagtirahan or nakikipag-pisikalan, naglalaro lang naman ako ng maayos.”
Maliksi said that he has no issues with any in-game physicality, but it’s a whole different story if “cheap shots” would be involved, especially in a game as tightly contested as on Sunday night.
“Ayun lang ayoko na mangyari, parang may mga cheap shots, dirty plays,” he said.
“Maganda ‘yung laban, hindi naman na kailangan ‘yung mga ganon.”
The 13-year pro out of UST, though, is moving on from the incident. He’s satisfied, too, to see his Bolts get away with the win after letting Game 2 slip away from their hands, which could’ve put them ahead 2-0 in the series.
“Heartbreaking loss ‘yung last game. It’s a relief na nakuha namin ‘yung win today,” exhaled Maliksi, who finished with eight points.
“Pero dami pa rin talaga naming lapses, dami naming mali. Nagalit nga si Coach sa amin kasi may mental lapses na dapat maayos namin,” he added.
“Adjustment pa rin coming into the next game. Wala pa naman, malayo pa ‘to.”
Members of the press tried to get the side of Teng about the matter, but he had already left the Big Dome way before Maliksi was interviewed.
