Allein Maliksi relishes PBA PH Cup finals return after 10 years

The last time Allein Maliksi stepped onto the finals stage of a PBA Philippine Cup, he was unable to make his presence felt.

Playing in just his third year in the league back then, Maliksi was sidelined due to an ACL injury that reduced him to a mere spectator during the San Mig Coffee Mixers' (now known as Magnolia) All-Filipino Cup championship run in 2013 against Rain or Shine — which served as the first title in what turned out to be a historic Grand Slam.

10 years later, the 6-foot-4 sharpshooter is back on the same stage, only this time he's healthy and ready to contribute.

Maliksi and the Meralco Bolts survived a grueling semifinals affair against Barangay Ginebra to forge a best-of-seven finals date with defending champion San Miguel.

"I feel blessed na after all my injuries, nakakalaro pa rin ako for my 13th year in the PBA," Malisi shared on the sidelines of the PBA finals press conference on Monday at the Crowne Plaza.

"I've been waiting for this opportunity na ikaw na rin ‘yung isa sa inaasahan kasi back then, I was just a backup kila James (Yap) pero injured ako no’n kaya ‘di ako nakalaro so ito, bagong opportunity for me and talagang sana this time, makuha na namin."

[I feel blessed that after all my injuries, I can still play for my 13th year in the PBA... I've been waiting for this opportunity where you are among those relied upon. Back then, I was just a backup to guys like James Yap but I was injured then so I wasn't able to play. So this is a new opportunity for me and I hope this time we can get it.]

Maliksi, though, knows that the job doesn't get any easier from here, especially with a group such as the Beermen, who are eyeing to clinch their 30th overall title in the league.

The 36-year-old sniper said that Meralco beating Ginebra in the semifinals doesn't mean they have an advantage against a stacked squad like San Miguel, which is led by seven-time MVP June Mar Fajardo as well as the formidable core of Marcio Lassiter, Chris Ross, Terrence Romeo, Don Trollano, and CJ Perez.

"Kumbaga heavyweight champion sila and kami parang underdogs na talagang kailangan naming fighter every game and every possession," he added.

[It's like they're the heavyweight champion and we're the underdogs that need to be fighters every game and every possession.]

But for Maliksi, a Meralco win wouldn't just be good for the franchise, but Philippine basketball in general as well, because of the unpredictability factor it can add.

"I think kasi most of the PBA fans, they think na parang ‘alam na namin ‘yung magiging result eh,’" the former UST gunner shared.

"I think if Meralco wins, it will bring back the interest of the fans, na kaya palang manalo ng ibang teams. We're not just trying to survive, gusto rin naming manalo and masyado lang din talagang malakas ‘yung mga teams."

[I think most of the PBA fans, they think they already know what the result would be... I think if Meralco wins, it will bring back the interest of the fans as it shows that even the other teams have a chance to win. We're not just trying to survive, we want to win and some of the other teams are just really strong.]

—JMB, GMA Integrated News