Allein Maliksi expressed his disappointment at not being able to help Meralco defend its PBA Philippine Cup championship due to a back injury.
Maliksi, who will miss the entire conference, confirmed his injury status on the PBA website. Though he couldn’t provide a specific timeline for his return, it is certain that he’s out for the remainder of the season.
“It will take time pa to heal para mawala ‘yung pain. Ayaw ko rin muna magsabi ng timeline. Basta sabi lang, take your time, huwag madaliin. Ako naman naghihintay lang day by day,” Maliksi shared while sidelined at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Sunday.
This setback comes shortly after Maliksi underwent surgery to remove bone spurs from his knee. He made a brief return on Christmas Day during the Commissioner’s Cup but was sidelined again as his back pain resurfaced.
“‘Yun ang nakaka-frustrate, kasi ok na sana, tuluy-tuloy na sana,” said the former University of Santo Tomas player. “Nagkaroon ako ng injury sa tuhod, tapos nung ok na, nagkaroon naman ako ng another setback sa back naman.”
Maliksi’s absence has interrupted the momentum he helped build after Meralco won its first-ever PBA championship last season, upsetting the San Miguel Beermen in six games.
“Medyo sayang kasi ang ganda na ng momentum namin. Nung una champion, tapos nung kay Allen Durham (Governors’ Cup), and then the next conference (Commissioner’s Cup). Ang laking part na sana, laking momentum sa team na parang makakaabot din kami (ulit) sa finals,” Maliksi stressed.
For now, Maliksi’s focus is on recovering for a future return to the court.
“Ang focus ko na lang makapag-pagaling hanggang sa makabalik ulit,” Maliksi said.
Meanwhile, Meralco is off to a strong start in its title defense, winning its second straight game on Sunday night, 118-80, against Terrafirma to take the early solo lead.
The post Maliksi out for Meralco’s PH Cup title defense first appeared on Fastbreak.
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