LUCENA, QUEZON — Two games have already been played in the 2019 PBA Governors’ Cup Finals clash between Meralco and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, but Allein Maliksi has not yet made his presence felt for the Bolts.
The veteran gunslinger has yet to convert a field goal in this series. He missed all of his five shots in the opener last Tuesday; then muffed another four in Game Two Friday evening at the Quezon Convention Center here.
Maliksi did not hide that he feels frustrated with his slump at such a stage as the Finals.
“I can’t lie about it.
“Siyempre gusto mo maka-help. Nakaka-frustrate na kahit wide open shots na ‘yun, it’s not falling in,” said the eight-year pro, who recently became a father after his wife gave birth to their baby girl last Thursday.
Fortunately, though, the Bolts managed to come out with the 104-102 triumph, enabling them to level the best-of-seven series at one game apiece. And for Maliksi, securing the victory is the most important thing.
“Importante nanalo kami ngayon,” said the 32-year-old, who’s in his first Finals appearance in five years.
But Maliksi knows that he can’t be a non-factor for long for his squad as the series goes along. And so he hopes that he can shake off his struggles come Game Three this Sunday, where the Bolts will look to take the series lead.
“Kailangan ready ka and hopefully maka-contribute na din ako. Kailangan ko mag-refocus kung pa’no ako makakatulong at makabalik sa game ko. Siguro unwind lang din. Marami lang iniisip,” said the three-time PBA champion.
“Ibalik ko ‘yung confidence ko sa sarili ko para pagdating sa Sunday at other games, makatulong na din ako para sa Meralco. Next game, ready na ulit. Hopefully, kailangan pumutok.”
