Better things come to those who put in the work, as they say. Allein Maliksi was a living testament to that on Friday evening.
The veteran gunslinger rifled 24 points on a 69-percent clip to lead Meralco to a 94-81 victory over Magnolia in the deciding Game Five of their 2021-22 PBA Governors’ Cup semifinal series at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The 34-year-old said that there was an effort on his part to create opportunities for himself instead of waiting for those to come by. And he admitted it was one of the reasons behind his lowly production in the first four games.
He scored just a total of 30 points in that stretch. Three of those games saw him score only in single digits, including a paltry six-point outing in Game Two.
“Thankful ako kay coach Norman [Black] and sa mga teammates ko na they trusted me, they involved me. I’m getting my touches, nakaka-penetrate ako.
“Nakalaro ako nung game ko, unlike previous games na just standing, waiting for them to take the ball sa’kin. Eh ‘di ako masyado nao-open. So, ayun, medyo maganda, nakakakuha ako ng open shots kanina,” he said.
Maliksi also felt satisfied to have deciphered his former team’s tough defense against him, which had also factored in his early struggles.
“Nakaisa din ako. Everytime na kalaban sila, talo. Blackwater ako, talo kami lagi. Meralco, series, talo kami. Ayun naka-isa din.
“Nakatapat sila sa semis and kami naman nakapasok sa Finals,” he said.
Maliksi breaking out of his slump couldn’t have come at a better time. It ultimately helped Meralco book yet another trip to the Finals.
But awaiting them is a familiar foe in Ginebra, a team that surely has their number. After all, it has beaten them in three of the last four Governors’ Cup Finals.
The four-time champion knows that it will be another tall order for the Bolts, but he’s optimistic that the upcoming chapter will end in their favor.
“I’m just positive that this time is gonna be a different story. So, we just need to prepare talaga ng sobra for them para makuha ‘yung panalo, makuha namin ‘yung first championship for Meralco,” said Maliksi.
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