Meralco Bolts’ Allein Maliski. –PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines—Allein Maliksi served as Meralco’s savior in its last game in the PBA on Tour as the Bolts defeated Rain or Shine, 103-95, at San Juan Arena on Friday.
Maliksi finished with 18 points with nine of them in the last two minutes of the neck-and-neck affair with the Elasto Painters.
“With Allen, just to see him like that, he struggled early but he came in (the fourth) and he was able to step up because we really lacked in scoring,” coach Luigi Trillo said. “I’m just proud of him.”
After several back and forth in the fourth period, both squads saw themselves in a stalemate at 92 with under two minutes remaining.
Raymar Jose, who finished with 22 points and 18 rebounds, gave the Bolts some breathing room with a successful floater, 94-92, but that signaled just the beginning of Maliksi’s scoring takeover.
Meralco Bolts coach Luigi Trillo. –PBA IMAGES
An advantage foul called on Mac Belo queled Rain or Shine’s chances with 1:28 to go.
Maliksi sank both free throws and punched a triple in the following possession to give the Bolts the pivotal 99-92 lead the Elasto Painters would not recover from as they dropped to an 8-3 card.
The Bolts reigned supreme despite fumbling the ball 19 times compared to Rain or Shine’s 10. They, however, dominated the rebounding department, 72-58.
Raymond Almazan helped the Bolts’ journey to a 7-4 record with a double-double of 18 points and 15 rebounds. Aaron Black, however, had the most notable night with a triple-double to the tune of 15 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists.
Belo top scored for the Elasto Painters with 22 markers while Leonard Santillan followed suit with 13 in a losing effort.