ALLEIN Maliksi took it upon himself to step up for Meralco in Game Five.
After averaging 8.3 points in Games Two through Four of the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup Finals, Maliksi scored 22 points to guide the Bolts to a 92-88 victory - just a win away from a first-ever league championship.
READ: Meralco a win away from first-ever PBA title after holding off SMB
The Meralco veteran said he was challenged by news articles calling him out for his poor play in the finals.
“Nakaka-challenge kasi kapag maganda laro mo, maganda ‘yung mga write-ups. Pero kapag nag-struggle ka, may mababasa kang write-ups," he said. "Talagang chinallenge ko sarili ko today, to be aggressive, to be a leader, to be a veteran."
Maliksi said he also spoke to Raymond Almazan and Bong Quinto, who had their own struggles in Game Four where they only combined for eight points.
Almazan had 14 points this time while Quinto had eight points, three rebounds, two assists, and two steals.
“Sabi namin, step up tayo. Minsan, struggle ka, maganda ‘yung nilalaro ng team. Kahit nag-struggle ako, I’m giving way sa teammates ko. Maganda nilalaro ni Bong Quinto, maganda nilalaro ni Cliff Hodge, nung isang game namin, si New (Chris Newsome), maganda nilaro."
"Give way lang. Give and take. Nakuha namin, nag-step-up kami ni Raymond at ni Bong,” he said.
Maliksi at malakas mula simula
Maliksi was aggressive from the start of Game Five, indeed, scoring 11 points in the first half. He wound up shooting 10-of-17, including hit key shots in the fourth that kept San Miguel at bay and built Meralco's lead back up to 90-80.
“I’m asking plays para sa sarili ko,” Maliksi said. “I’m more assertive in terms of offense. Sabi ko, ‘New, call this play, CB (Chris Banchero) set me up. Just always be involved in the two-man game, three-man game, or weak side. I continue to find my touches. Aggressive lang talaga. Kailangan ko mag-step up.”
Maliksi was also glad that the whole team responded well to a late Beermen run that turned Game Five into a one-possession game before Newsome sank two free throws to ice the win.
“Composure lang na ganun talaga na makakabalik sila. Malakas ‘yung team ng San Miguel. Hindi namin dini-disregard. Kailangan lang din naming makasagot sa depensa," the former UST wingman said.
"‘Yun talaga ang focus namin. Kailangan, lahat kami on our toes on defense, sa offense. Tulung-tulong naman kami, kung sino na open at kung sino maganda nilalaro."
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