Allein Maliksi’s non-inclusion in any of the Gilas Pilipinas squads that competed in the William Jones Cup, FIBA Asia Cup, and even in the SEA Games this 2017, was baffling to say the least.
After helping the Filipino cagers rule the SEABA Championships last May, the 29-year-old was nowhere to be found for Gilas, all because of his then-team Star Hotshots only allowed one player from their team to join Gilas. It was either him or Jiovani Jalalon.
“Nung nakaraan naman gusto ko sana maglaro, kaya lang nga medyo may conflict,” admitted Maliksi.
But now, there are no conflicts. Maliksi is now a free man after being shipped by Star to the Blackwater Elite, a deal that somehow paved the way for his return to SMART Gilas.
“I’m very excited na nakabalik sa Philippine team, siyempre sa Gilas,” said Maliksi on Thursday, moments after SMART Gilas’ tune-up match versus the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters at the Gatorade Hoops Center which they won, 96-75.
“[Another] experience sa’kin na mag-improve pa and maitaas pa yung level ng game ko tapos makatulong doon sa team.”
Maliksi has been a consistent fixture for SMART Gilas ever since the team returned to work last November 3. Judging from the way he works out, the six-foot-four guard-forward isn’t showing any signs of slowing down.
One might actually assume that his trade to Blackwater has done wonders. But for Maliksi, he’s simply taking advantage of what’s infront of him.
“Basta kung ano lang mga situation na nangyayari sa career ko, yun lang, grab lang every opportunity na dadating, na binibigay ni God,” he said. “Take lang positive yung mga situation na kung anong meron ka sa situation na yun.”
This will now be Maliksi’s second tour of duty with the Nationals. But this early in his return, he already has something to be grateful for: being looked up to by the younger wards, who are more seasoned than him on the global stage.
“Yan si Mac (Belo), si (Roger) Pogoy, nung kinausap nila ako, nag-one-on-one talk kami. Nai-inspire ko pala sila na every practice dumadating ako ng mas maaga, nag-e-extra work ako, naa-appreciate pala nila yun,” he said. “Yun yung mas natutunan ko ngayon na parang you set an example to the younger ones. And then maririnig mo sa kanila na naa-appreciate nila yun, so nakaka-proud.
“Mas mapupush ka pa na sipagan pa kasi may nakatingin sa’yo.”
Being an example of work ethic and consistency should be rightfully rewarded. And in this case, the reward should be having a place in the 12-man line-up for the FIBA World Cup 2019 Asian Qualifiers opener versus Japan.
For Maliksi, whether he is included in the final line-up or not does not matter to him anymore, for being a part of SMART Gilas is already an achievement.
“Kahit ano naman, kung mai-line up ako o hindi, happy naman ako na nakatrain ako dito sa Gilas kasi nag-iimprove ako,” said Maliksi. “Whatever happens, kung ‘di man ma-lineup or ma-lineup, grateful ako na naging part ako sa pool ng Gilas.
“Hindi naman lahat nabibigyan ng opportunity na ganito na nakakasali ka sa Gilas ‘di ba?”
