Everything is falling into place for Allein Maliksi at this point in his career
At 29, Maliksi’s story has been told many times over. It’s a story that mainly revolves around challenges on and off the court — injuries in particular, as multiple ACL-related injuries had gotten the best of the 2011 Draftee early in his career.
Since then, it was thought that Maliksi had missed his chances, that he would just be one of the big what-ifs in the pro ranks. But being positive as always, he kept his faith, and always believed that everything will still go his way.
“Dadating rin ‘yung mga opportunities. You just have to be ready when the time comes,” the proud University of Santo Tomas alumnus declared.
The time has come for Maliksi this PBA season, where he is having the best span of his career so far, as a pivotal gunner for Star. His norms of 13.3 points on 43.6 percent shooting beyond-the-arc in the ongoing Commissioner’s Cup are unquestionable evidence.
But it does not just stop there. Back in March of this year, Maliksi had just received one of the biggest calls of his life — an opportunity to represent the Philippines on the world stage by playing for Chooks Gilas Pilipinas.
Ever since Gilas’ workouts commenced in March, Maliksi has almost never missed a beat. He showed up for the majority of the team’s practices, his own way of expressing his desire and willingness to don the country’s colors.
“Siyempre even before gusto ko na makalaro sa national team. Sino ba naman ang hindi? It’s an honor to serve our country,” Maliksi shared.
And on Friday night at the Quezon Convention Center in Lucena, Quezon, in the Luzon leg of the 2017 PBA All-Star Week, Maliksi witnessed the culmination of his long-time dream right before his very eyes.
Moments after Chooks Gilas’ rousing come-from-behind, 122-111 victory over the heavily-loaded PBA Luzon All-Stars, the announcement of the final 12-man lineup for the SEABA Championship for Men in May took place.
Head coach Chot Reyes then read out the lucky players’ names one by one, until he came across Allein Maliksi’s name. It may have just been a simple announcement, but it was truly a dream-turned-reality for Maliksi.
“Yun yung sinasabi na in God’s perfect time,” proudly said Maliksi, who never fails to thank the Man above whenever blessings pour down on him. “Siyempre thankful kay God sa opportunity na dumating dito sa point ng career ko.
“Ang laking fulfilment sa career ko. I work hard every day to improve my game. [I’m] thankful and blessed na medyo lahat, nagma-match na.”
Maliksi never thought he would make the cut, knowing that Gilas contains a lot of talents that deserve a spot on the SEABA-bound team. But he also believes that his effort in practice proved to be the key.
“Hindi ko in-expect na maila-lineup ako,” admitted the six-year pro.
“Pero I work hard in practice to earn it.”
Indeed, Maliksi earned it, as he hardly missed the practices of Gilas. His always-ready mentality got him to where he wanted to be, and his knack for grabbing the brass ring will always be with him wherever he will go.
And that approach of his is something he will live with when the time comes for him to represent the Philippines, especially in the regional cagefest that serves as the qualifying tourney for the FIBA-Asia Cup in August.
“[I] Just need to be ready every time na dumating yung opportunity. Dumarating yung time na you need to make shots, [and] you have to make it. Kailangan i-ready lang ang sarili,” Maliksi stated.
