ALLEIN Maliksi was in tears numerous times after Meralco finally captured the elusive PBA crown in the Philippine Cup Finals.
“Iyak talaga ako. Iyak talaga kami. Ilang beses kami umiyak,” said Maliksi. “Kay New (Newsome), kay Raymond, kay Boss Bill (Pamintuan, Meralco team governor), coach Luigi [Trillo], kay coach Norman [Black].”
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“Naiyak ako kasi talagang alam namin kung gaano kahirap namin ito nakuha. Alam namin ‘yung sacrifices na binigay namin para makuha ‘yung championship,” he added.
Aside from Chris Newsome’s heroics in the final seconds of Game Six, Maliksi also came up big after finishing with 14 points in the Bolts’ 80-78 win over San Miguel that gave the former UST gunner the fifth PBA title of his career.
Maliksi also helped Meralco move into position to win the championship when he had 22 points in its 92-88 win in Game Five.
But of all the titles that he had, Maliksi said the Meralco championship is the sweetest even over his time with San Mig Coffee, now Magnolia, where he was part of the grand slam team during the 2013-14 season.
“This is the best championship,” said Maliksi.
“Hindi naman ako masyadong part doon,” said Maliksi, referring to his time with San Mig Coffee that had stars like James Yap, Marc Pingris, PJ Simon, and Mark Barroca, and the other guys. Reliever lang ako at talagang limited minutes ako.”
“But this time, talagang part ako ng core na malaki ‘yung contribution ko na napanalo namin. Nakuha namin ‘yung championship na ‘to. Eto talaga ang pinakamasarap talaga, ever,” said Maliksi.
The former University of Santo Tomas player said nothing will match this season’s championship even if he goes on to win another one.
“I don’t know if may sasarap pa dito sa championship na ‘to,” said Maliksi. “Makakuha man kami in the future, eto ‘yung pinakamahirap.”
'One for the books'
“Grabe, pang-documentary talaga ‘yung laban na ‘to, ‘yung journey namin na ‘to. One for the books kumbaga,” said Maliksi.
Meralco captured its first crown even after it became on the brink of missing the playoffs when it had a 3-5 win-loss record at some point of the conference.
“Imagine, how hard it is to win this one,” said Maliksi. “Coming from the eliminations na halos out na kami, how many do-or-die games ‘yung nilaro namin. And then, Ginebra Game Seven. Tapos puro game-winner ‘yung series against San Miguel. And finally, nakuha namin.”
“Eto ‘yung pinakamasarap na panalo kasi lahat ng sacrifices namin, lahat ng hardwork namin, lumabas. It’s all for him and it’s the sweetest,” he added.
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