SCHEDULE: PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals
Meralco Bolts’ Allein Maliksi in a PBA Philippine Cup semifinals game against Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—A teacher-and-student clash is among the storylines in Game 7 of the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals between Ginebra and Meralco.
The Gin Kings and the Bolts will have one more story in the middle of their do-or-die game between Meralco shooter Allein Maliksi and Ginebra coach Tim Cone.
Back in 2014, Maliksi played under Cone to help give the now-defunct San Mig Super Coffee Mixers a rare grand slam feat and they did it by going through several do-or-die matches.
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“I remember coach Tim telling me when I was still playing for San Mig Coffee, we fought a lot of game 7’s and do-or-dies, it really goes down to the players,” said Maliksi after their 86-81 win in Game 6 at Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday.
“It’s all about the players who really want to win who will come out with the victory.”
Sure, Cone’s teachings got to Maliksi. After all, he proved to be a reliable role player in that stellar run, helping James Yap and company achieve league history.
Maliksi now, though, has to apply those teachings against the same man who taught it to him.
READ: PBA: Meralco foils Ginebra closeout bid, forces semis Game 7
Maliksi, who finished with 14 points and six rebounds in Meralco’s crucial Game 6 win, knows it’ll be anything but easy.
“It’s really hard to battle coach Tim. He’s really a genius in terms of coaching, system and strategies.”
“[Can you] imagine how many championships he has and his percentage of winning? We really have to be prepared and have no lapses with well-executed game plans.”
Maliksi’s Meralco and Cone’s Ginebra travel to Batangas at FPJ Arena for the all-important Game 7 that will determine who the San Miguel Beermen will face in the PBA Finals.