VETERAN sniper Allein Maliksi is back in harness for Meralco, giving the Bolts a major boost as they attempt to regain the PBA’s crown jewel in Season 50.
Mr. Maliksi, a vital cog in the franchise’s maiden championship in the Season 48 Philippine Cup, saw action for only two games in all of the 49th season, initially due to bone spurs on his knee and later sciatica (back injury).
The five-time PBA champion even sat out the entire All-Filipino and his absence was strongly felt as the Bolts failed to get past the quarterfinal stage. Seeded eighth, Meralco fell to top seed and twice-to-beat San Miguel Beer, 107-98, to yield the crown.
Mr. Maliksi, who last played in their 94-110 Christmas Day loss to Converge in the Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup, returned to action as the Bolts beat Rain or Shine in a pre-season duel in Ilagan, Isabela over the weekend, 95-89.
The 38-year-old hit perimeter buckets as before and capped a pivotal 10-1 blast with a triple that broke a 71-71 tie and sparked Meralco’s breakaway.
Aside from the comebacking Mr. Maliksi, the redemption-seeking Bolts have also locked in the services of another vital piece of their previous championship run by signing star playmaker Chris Newsome to a three-year extension.
Likewise staying for more is seasoned big man Raymond Almazan, whom the squad inked to a fresh two-year deal.
The Bolts will be a busy team come October, tackling their PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup drive while gunning for glory in the East Asia Super League on the side with super imports Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Justin Brownlee as spearheads.
For Mr. Newsome, it will be much more draining with Gilas Pilipinas duties in the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers beginning November on his plate as well. But he’s game for it.
“It’s not something that I run from it. It’s actually something that I openly accept because anytime you represent the country, whether it’s your club team or Gilas, I’m always going to be there and I’ll always put my best foot forward,” said Mr. Newsome. — Olmin Leyba
