Meralco Bolts swingman Allein Maliksi on the bench during a game against the Magnolia Hotshots in the PBA Governors’ Cup.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Allein Maliksi was reduced to a spectator in Meralco’s season-opening win over Magnolia in the PBA Governors’ Cup on Sunday at Araneta Coliseum.
Maliksi is expected to be sidelined for two weeks due to a strained adductor.
“[I have a] slight strain in my left adductor. I got it in a tuneup game last Thursday,” said Maliksi in Filipino.
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“I feel like it’s a bit okay now but they [doctors] still told me to take precautions. As long as I’m feeling good, I should just continue [my progress] bit by bit.”
Despite missing Maliksi, one of its key cogs, Meralco still beat Magnolia, 99-94, behind returning reinforcement Allen Durham.
Jolo Mendoza also stepped up with 13 points on 3-of-3 shooting from the field, including a 27-footer worth four points as part of the new PBA rule.
The Bolts also drew major contributions from its backcourt tandem of Chris Newsome and Chris Banchero, who combined for 27 points.
READ: PBA: Meralco scrapes past Magnolia in season opener
“That’s the good thing about our team. Everyone is ready and whatever it is that our coaches want us to do, we do them. I think everyone knows that’s how we became successful in the last conference,” lauded Maliksi.
“They do whatever’s needed to be done, how to play and approach the game and that’s one thing I saw that we got from the last conference,” he added.
Maliksi is questionable to return for Meralco as the Bolts’ next game is on Thursday against TNT.