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PBA: 'Gigil' got the best of Meralco's Allein Maliksi in Game 4, says Black

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<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2020/sports/11/25/pba_mer_allein-maliksi.jpg"/><figcaption>Meralco&#x27;s Allein Maliksi (22) evades the defense of Ginebra rookie Arvin Tolentino in Game 4 of their 2020 PBA Philippine Cup semifinals series. <em>PBA Media Bureau.</em></figcaption></figure></div><p><br/>MANILA, Philippines -- For three games in the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup semifinals, Allein Maliksi had been the hero for Meralco, scoring at will to keep them competitive against Barangay Ginebra.</p><p>But with the Bolts facing elimination on Wednesday evening, Maliksi very nearly became the goat for his squad as he struggled to find his rhythm. He missed a long three-pointer with just over 20 seconds left while they trailed 80-79 -- his eighth missed field goal of the contest.</p><p>Fortunately for Maliksi -- and the Bolts -- veteran forward Reynel Hugnatan was there to bail them out. The 42-year-old forward nailed the go-ahead jumper with 15 seconds to go, and Meralco clamped down defensively in the closing seconds to preserve an 83-80 win that forced a do-or-die game.</p><p>Afterward, Meralco coach Norman Black explained that Maliksi had simply been overeager during the game.</p><p>&quot;I think they call it gigil,&quot; Black said. &quot;He was just a little bit nervous in the beginning. He was taking quick shots, he was moving a little bit too fast. In other words, trying to get it all done at once.&quot;</p><p>Maliksi entered the game averaging 20.3 points while shooting 52.8% from the field, including an astounding 62.5% from long distance. In Game 4, he shot just 3-of-11 from the floor for eight points, and made just one of six attempts from beyond the arc.</p><p>Despite Maliksi&#x27;s struggles in Game 4, he remains a crucial part of Meralco&#x27;s rotation and will continue to play meaningful minutes for Black.</p><p>&quot;Like I (said), he&#x27;s a big player for us. We need his floor-spacing. He&#x27;s one of the guys that Coach Tim (Cone) really respects because of his ability to score,&quot; Black noted. &quot;Of course, Coach Tim was able to coach him in the past, when he was winning his championships in San Mig Coffee.&quot;</p><p>&quot;And for us, he&#x27;s a floor-spacer, a guy we need to have on the floor just to make the other team respect our outside shooting,&quot; he added.</p><p>Before his Game 4 dud, Maliksi had been all but unstoppable for Meralco and Black is optimistic that he will regain his shooting touch come Friday&#x27;s Game 5. </p><p>&quot;This is probably the first time where he didn&#x27;t really shoot well (in the series),&quot; Black pointed out. &quot;We&#x27;re hoping he&#x27;ll be there for us on Friday when we really need him.&quot;</p><p>Maliksi, 33, is averaging 11.7 points per game for the Bolts in the All-Filipino Cup, while shooting 41.2% from beyond the arc.</p><div><strong>Related video: </strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sf7n1u9Ig_8?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div>

<p>For three games in the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup semifinals, Allein Maliksi had been the hero for Meralco, scoring at will to keep them competitive against Barangay Ginebra.</p>

For three games in the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup semifinals, Allein Maliksi had been the hero for Meralco, scoring at will to keep them competitive against Barangay Ginebra.