 |
| PBA |
By Ivan Saldajeno
ANTIPOLO--Allein Maliksi admitted to some reporters on Sunday
night that he was saddened when he was informed that he will be traded to
Blackwater from Star.
[Related Story: Maliksi heads to Blackwater as Star pulls off shock trade]
"Nakakaiyak talaga na malipat ako. It's been four years
na. Family na yung turing namin sa isa't isa. May separation anxiety rin,"
said Maliksi.
But just like any other professional basketball player, he knows
that it is part of his career.
"Pinipigilan ko[ng umiyak]. Kino-comfort ako ng girlfriend
ko na kailangan kong mag-move on: 'May plano si God na much better para sa iyo,'"
continued Maliksi.
The trade indeed turned out to be a blessing in disguise as
Maliksi still ended up in a team that will make the PBA Governors' Cup playoffs
with the Elite clinching a quarterfinal spot--and even helping the Hotshots
clinch one too--through a 118-107 win over the now also-ran GlobalPort Batang Pier
at the Ynares Center.
[Related Story: Blackwater ousts GlobalPort, completes QF cast]
Maliksi put up impressive numbers in his Blackwater debut,
leading the team with 22 points, five rebounds, one assist, and one steal in
34-and-a-half minutes of play.
However, he insisted that it was not a statement to Star.
"I don't want to take it personally. Yung team pa rin
ang priority, hindi yung individual stats," Maliksi further said.
After four fruitful seasons with the Hotshots that saw him
winning four titles which includes the fact that "part ako ng
history" of the 2014 grand slam, Maliksi is now ready to become the
Elite's new leader.
"Confident naman ako sa lineup namin. Kailangan lang may
mag-lead sa kanila," he quipped.
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno
