ALLEIN Maliksi has returned to Meralco’s injury list after just one game as he wants to make sure that his fitness level is at its optimum after undergoing surgery in his knee.
Maliksi came back with the Bolts on Christmas Day, finishing with five points and three assists in 13 minutes and 57 seconds of court time during their 110-94 defeat against Converge.
But Maliksi found himself back on the shelf again when he realized during that game that he is not yet ready, conditioning-wise, for the grind. Maliksi said he was also dealing with pain in his back during the game.
“Still recovering pa, strengthening and more on conditioning,” said the 37-year-old Maliksi. “Actually, ako ‘yung nagsabi kila coach Luigi, parang feeling ko hindi pa ako ready for the game. Kasi sa practice nakakasabay naman ako. Pero ibang ‘yung level ng game eh.”
“So sabi ko, baka rather than maka-help, baka medyo liability ako kapag nagamit ako. So sabi ko, antayin ko muna na medyo talagang maganda ‘yung condition ko at medyo 100 percent na ako coming back from injury,” said Maliksi, a vital piece in Meralco’s title run during the 2024 Philippine Cup.
The Meralco gunner was coming off surgery to remove bone spurs in his knee, causing him to miss an extended time period. Including the Christmas Day game, he has only played for two games this season.
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“Bone spurs kasi so nilinis. So medyo natatagalan in terms of strengthening. Kailangan pa mas mapalakas daw at masanay uli doon sa load ng movements,” said Maliksi.
Now that he know where he is as far as recovery, Maliksi said he has no timetable for a return, and doesn’t want his comeback on the court to be half-baked.
“Sobrang sakit nung lower back ko nung day na ‘yun [Christmas Day game]. So sabi ko, sige gusto ko maglaro talaga. Gusto ko ma-check kung medyo okay okay na. Pero sabi ko nga, through adrenaline na lang din during the game,” said Maliksi.
“Sabi ko, hindi pa ako ganun ka-ready, magpakundisyon muna ako. And then, mag-prepare muna ako para at least pagbalik ko, hindi naman ‘yung parang pinilit mo lang maglaro."
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