Maliksi bounces back in huge Meralco win vs Ginebra

MANILA, Philippines -- After having a horrible game offensively in their previous outing, Allein Maliksi bounced back big and unleashed 25 points for the Meralco Bolts, which dealt Barangay Ginebra its first loss of the PBA Philippine Cup, 91-73.

Maliksi came up big off the bench for the Bolts, needing just 23 minutes to finish with 25 points, making 9-of-14 shots from the field.

In Meralco’s previous loss against the NorthPort Batang Pier last week, the sweet-shooting forward had just four points on 2-of-10 shooting.

Against the Batang Pier, he missed all of his seven 3-pointers.

Against Ginebra, though, he made 4-of-7 seven attempts.

Maliksi’s offensive explosion was enough for the Bolts to obliterate the Gin Kings, 91-73.

“I work hard and I prepare every day in practice. Eventually there’s an off night and sometimes your game is good, so just continue to enjoy the game, play the game the right way,” he told reporters after the win.

“Today, we executed well on offense and on defense. We took care of the ball, so the result was good,” he added.

Only three Bolts finished in double figures -- Maliksi, Chris Newsome and Aaron Black.

But the trio combined for 56 of the team’s 91 points, as the team had a balanced scoring output.

All of the players fielded in the game, except for Norbert Torres, scored at least a point.

Meralco head coach Luigi Trillo lauded Maliksi’s bounceback game, underscoring the wing’s professionalism.

“What I’m proud of Allein, and I’m sure everybody on the team can say, is he’s a true professional. I see him, he has a way where he does and he comes in before practice and after practice. He does the extra work,” he said.

“You can see why he’s consistent and he takes care of his body…. He’s valuable to the team.”

Meanwhile, Trillo said that the Meralco’s obliteration of rival Ginebra could be tagged to the absence of guard Scottie Thompson.

We have those instances when we caught Ginebra flat footed. Sometimes we lead them by 20 but they normally catch up. They use unconventional lineups, they go small lineups, they zone, they full court press, but this time they are lacking someone, in all fairness. It is different when Scottie is on board,” Trillo said.

"We know Scottie changes that. And we took advantage of those opportunities in front of us, Scottie was not there and we did that. I know we also played well and caught them a little bit off.”

Meralco will now be on a three-week break and will face the Terrafirma Dyip next on Wednesday, April 3, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.