COMEBACKING Allein Maliksi doesn’t mind the reduced role and minutes he now has at Meralco.
The veteran gunner played his first game in the PBA 50th Season Commissioner’s Cup on Sunday against Titan Ultra as he tries to regain his place in the Bolts’ regular rotation after a long injury layoff.
The 38-year-old Maliksi was fielded in during the third quarter and hit one from three-point range in a six-minute stint during the Bolts’ 118-105 win over Titan Ultra at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
READ Meralco Bolts send Titan Ultra crashing back to earth
He also contributed two rebounds in helping Meralco bounced back from its 112-109 loss against an import-less Rain or Shine team that last timeout.
Grounded for more than a year with injuries to both his back and knee, Maliksi admitted it’s going to be a long road back for him to his old playing form. He also understands the current situation in a stacked Meralco roster.
“Alam ko naman yung sitwasyon na medyo loaded kami in terms of wings, and I was out for a very long time,” said the former University of Santo Tomas stalwart.
“I completely understand now my role and situation in the team,” he added. “I respect the decisions of the coaches and I’m just here to play.”
Maliksi actually was already on the comeback trail during the season-opener Philippine Cup, but stressed he didn’t really felt completely healthy then during the few times he suited up.
“From the last conference during the all-Filipino nakikita ni coach (Nenad Vucinic) na hindi pa kaganda yung movements ko and all,” he said. “This year lang talaga halos naging maganda yung takbo ko in terms of practice.”
A key player when Meralco won its first and only PBA championship during the Season 48 Philippine Cup, Maliksi is now considered the most senior among the Bolts, and if that meant being a leader to this current Meralco unit, then he’ll gladly provide that leadership even with limited playing minutes.
“As a veteran, we’ll try to lead them and give them advice if I’m not playing. And if I’m playing, I’m just always staying ready na kapag binigyan ng opportunity nila coach, lalaro ako.”
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