Meralco fended off a late run by San Miguel to secure the crucial 3-2 lead in the PBA Season 48 Phillipine Cup finals.
Meralco ace Allein Maliksi found the fuel to help himself and the Bolts rebound in Game 5 of the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup Finals against San Miguel last night, June 14.
It was the articles he read in the aftermath of the Meralco's sorry 111-101 Game 4 loss to the Beermen on Wednesday, June 12, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Maliksi contributed a measly nine points on 3-of-11 shooting from the field, while Chris Newsome carried the bulk of the load with his career-best 40 points.
Allein Maliksi made 58 percent of his shots from the field in Meralco's Game 5 win over San Miguel. | Photo (c) Sherwin Vardeleon
The Bolts gunner produced 15 in their series-opening victory but has since struggled offensively, only chalking up eight points each in Games 2 and 3 on a combined 4-for-14 clip.
He responded to the challenge and came up big in the thrilling 92-88 Game 5 win that moved Meralco on the cusp of bagging its first-ever title.
“Today, nakaka-challenge. Kasi 'pag maganda laro mo, maganda ang mga write-ups. Pero 'pag nag-struggle ka, may mababasa kang write-ups,” Maliksi said as the Bolts lead the race-to-four series, 3-2.
“Chinallenge ko 'yung sarili ko today to be aggressive, to be a leader, to be a veteran. Nag-usap kami ni Raymond (Almazan), ni Bong (Quinto). Nakita namin 'yung article. Sabi ko, step up tayo.”
Raymond Almazan checked a woeful two-point showing in Game 4 as he finished with 14 points, four rebounds, a steal and an emphatic block on CJ Perez to boot.
Bong Quinto slightly bettered his six-point showing the previous match with eight markers anchored on two triples. He also had three rebounds, two assists and two steals.
“Gabi pa lang [magkausap kami]. Inabot kami ng mga 2 a.m.,” Almazan said.
Maliksi also explained that his recent offensive struggles paved the way for the other Bolts to step up. It was just a matter of "give and take."
“Kasi, minsan, nagsa-struggle ka. Maganda 'yung nilalaro ng team, eh. So kahit na nag-struggle ako, I’m giving way sa teammates ko,” said Maliksi.
“Maganda ang nilalaro ni Bong Quinto. Maganda ang nilalaro ni Cliff Hodge. Noong isang game naman, si New (Chris Newsome). So, give way lang, give and take. Ayan, nakuha namin (Game 5 win). Nag-step up kami nila Raymond and nila Bong.”
Allein Maliksi finally finds his mark in Game 5 after struggling in the last three matches for Meralco. | Photo (c) Sherwin Vardeleon
While the Bolts are now on the doorstep of a title breakthrough, Maliksi knows that the job is not done yet.
“What’s to be happy about? Wala pa naman, eh. We don’t think [of the] future. Stay in the moment. Prepare for Sunday’s game,” said Maliksi.
Game 5 kicks off at 6:15 p.m. on Sunday, June 16, at the same venue.