Meralco’s Allein Maliksi during a PBA on Tour game. –PBA IMAGES
Allein Maliksi made it a homecoming to remember as Meralco clobbered Barangay Ginebra, 106-93, in the PBA On Tour on Wednesday at University of Santo Tomas’ Quadricentennial Pavilion.
Maliksi drained 13 of his 23 points in the first quarter which played a key role in the Bolts taking control of the contest throughout despite minor comeback attempts by the Gin Kings the rest of the way.
The former Growling Tiger, who played his lone UAAP season in 2009, made 8-of-16 shots in the win that improved Meralco’s record in the exhibition series to 5-3.
Meralco prevailed three days after being handed a crushing loss to unbeaten Magnolia, but coach Luigi Trillo felt there were more things that needed to be addressed in order to be consistent.
“As a coach, there’s a lot of things, there’s a lot of things we can improve,” said coach Trillo, who will no longer call the shots for the remainder of the On Tour to attend a seminar and the NBA Summer League in the United States.
Ginebra’s loss spoiled the own UST return of Aljon Mariano, who had eight points, four rebounds and two steals. The Gin Kings now have a 4-4 record.
Maliksi’s hot shooting propelled Meralco to a 37-21 lead at the end of the first period.
Bong Quinto scored 22 points, Cliff Hodge had 15 points, six rebounds and six assists, Franky Johnson used his extended playing time to produce 14 points while Raymond Almazan added 13 points and 12 rebounds for Meralco.
Von Pessumal topscored for Ginebra with 26 points but left the game in the fourth after spraining his left ankle.
The scores:
MERALCO 106—Maliksi 23, Quinto 22, Johnson 14, Hodge 15, Almazan 13, Rios 6, Dario 5, Pascual 4, Jose 2, Torres 2, Pasaol 0.
GINEBRA 93—Pessumal 26, Gray 15, Onwubere 14, David 12, R.Aguilar 8, Mariano 8, Pinto 5, Aurin 3, Gumaru 2, Dillinger 0, Espanola 0.
Quarters: 37-21, 57-46, 91-76, 106-93.
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