Allein Maliksi played his best game for Meralco at the best possible time on Sunday evening.
The veteran gunslinger fired 23 points spiked by four three-pointers, on top of three rebounds, two assists, and a steal, helping the Bolts take down the Alaska Aces, 94-84, in the 2019 PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals.
“Finally, naka-contribute na din ng maganda sa team,” said Maliksi moments after the match. “I would like to thank and give credit to the coaches … Lahat ng mga assistant coach, binibigyan nila ako ng confidence.
“Sobrang thankful din ako sa mga teammates ko na they’re trying to keep me motivated, na ‘Keep being aggressive, play your game.’ Parang, ”Yun ‘yung role mo.’ Talagang pinu-push nila ako na maging better.”
The victory is all the more satisfying for Maliksi since it propelled Meralco to the semifinals.
Maliksi has not reached the said stage in a while. He last played in the semis back in 2017, when he was still with the Star Hotshots. He never had another chance while he was with the Blackwater Elite.
So now that he’s about to play in the semis once more, the eight-year pro out of UST expressed excitement.
“Siyempre, really excited kasi iba ‘yung semis. Iba ‘yung level ng competition, iba ‘yung level ng kalaban mo. Masyadong mataas ‘yung competition, and really looking forward na maka-help ako doon sa team,” said Maliksi.
The semis will not begin until December 12, so Maliksi and Meralco have enough time, and not just to prepare for either the TNT KaTropa or the Magnolia Hotshots as their possible foes. They also get to recover from injuries.
Maliksi has yet to fully recover from a shoulder injury, while Raymond Almazan hurt his left leg versus the Aces. The 6-foot-8 slotman picked up the injury with 4:57 remaining in the game following his dunk off an Allen Durham assist.
“Thankful na rin [sa break]. May injury pa rin ako eh. Medyo masakit pa ‘yung shoulder ko … So malaking help ‘yung mahabang break na makakapag-recover kami, si Raymond may injury,” said the 6-foot-4 guard-forward.
“Tapos ‘yun nga, may chance pa kami na maka-work out together, and makuha ‘yung rhythm namin as a group, ‘di ba?” added the four-time PBA champion.
“So makakapag-build kami ng good chemistry para sa preparation.”
