Allein Maliksi is the new Three-point King. Photo by Randolph B. Leongson/INQUIRER.net
LUCENA — Allein Maliksi drilled the biggest money ball of the competition in dramatic fashion to rule the Three-Point Shootout Friday in the 2017 PBA All-Star at Quezon Convention Center here.
The Star forward made his shots when it mattered, draining three of his five colored balls in the money ball rack and went 4-of-5 in the right corner including the title-clinching basket to put him on top with 20 points.
“I felt pressured in the end because time was running out,” said Maliksi. “My mindset is to make every shot I take because my opponent here is myself.”
LA Tenorio set a tough standard as he got four balls in the moneyball rack to finish with 18 points.
Defending champion Terrence Romeo was denied of a three-peat, as he missed his final money ball which could
have put him ahead of Tenorio. He finished with 17 in the Finals to finish at third place.
Maliksi was thankful to finally seize the opportunity in his first try, saying that e badly wanted to join the field ever since he got drafted.
“I wanted to join this competition so bad, so I really wanted to do my best and take this opportunity,” he said.
Perennial favorites Marcio Lassiter and Matthew Wright had a surprisingly off outing in the first round, with the San Miguel sniper nabbing only 13 points while the Phoenix rookie got the second-lowest score of eight.
Other shooters who joined in the field were Simon Enciso, Ronjay Buenafe, Juami Tiongson, Gary David, Maverick Ahanmisi, Jared Dillinger, and Larry Fonacier.