Allein Maliksi was the key reason on why the Meralco Bolts won the Philippine Cup title during the 48th Season of the PBA. The team failed to defend their title after he got injured. In the 50th season, the 38-year old sharpshooter is determined to stay healthy and remain a key piece for Meralco.
Maliksi had more time playing the role of cheerleader than being on the hardcourt after undergoing surgery to remove bone spurs in his knee before being bothered by a back injury.
The veteran wing has shown signs of becoming again a key contributor for the Bolts going into this season with his performances in tune-up games, particularly against Converge and Rain or Shine.
"I’m just trying to be efficient in terms of my movement while keeping myself fresh during the games, especially with my age," said Maliksi, who recently turned 38.
Aside from the comebacking Maliksi, the redemption-seeking Bolts have also locked in the services of another vital piece of their previous championship run by recently 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 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 Newsome.
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