Philippine basketball fans have seen their share of their PBA stars having different surnames on their backs during FIBA-sanctioned games. Jayson Castro has William on his back while Paul Lee is carrying his mother’s surname Dalistan in international competitions.
This time, Gilas Pilipinas rookie Allein Maliksi had “Malicsi” on his back. But it had nothing to do with his parents’ surnames.
“Kasi yung dati kong birth certificate letter C yung Maliksi, sa passport na ina-apply ko, letter C tapos yun na yung finollow muna nila kasi yun ata FIBA rule,” the 29-year old shared.
Maliksi, or Malicsi, may have had a different surname on his back but his game did not change.
The 6-foot-4 swingman attempted 14 shots in the game (third most for Gilas) to finish with 20 points to go along with five rebounds, three steals, and two blocks. And Maliksi and the Nationals did not let up for 40 minutes.
“Ang mindset is, when you smell blood, you go for the kill, mahina na nga eh tapos lalaruin mo pa, di naman sa ina-underestimate natin kasi siyempre alam natin na kayang kaya, bakit mo pagbibigyan yung kalaban,” the resident of Makati shared after Gilas’ 147-40 win over Myanmar.
“Kasi siyempre every game is a regular game, kailangan mo i-treat as a regular game para di kayo magkaroon ng bad habits in the future na mga games na mas mahirap.”
And with one international game under his belt, the first-ever PBA D-League MVP is looking forward to the rest of the tournament.
“Okay lang pero di pa natin talaga ma-tetest yung skills natin unless makatapat tayo ng totoong kalaban, kumbaga step pa lang to eh,” he stressed.
“Wala pa talaga. Warm-up lang. Hopefully sa mga susunod na game, mag maging challenging, mas ma-challenge yung team na mag-work at para ma-prepare kami sa darating na mga mabibigat na kalaban.”
