By REYNALD MAGALLON
Meralco veteran gunner Allein Maliksi felt like San Miguel wingman Jeron Teng was going over the top with his physicality and he made sure to express his displeasure when they got into a heated exchange during Game 3 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals.
The two players got into a verbal altercation and were seen shoving each other at the 3:12 mark of the second quarter after an apparent hit from Teng didn’t sit well for Maliksi during the play prior.
“The first time kasi, closed fist sa mata e. Ta’s pangalawa naman, ‘di ko naman siya parang binangga or anything, parang tinukuran niya ako sa leeg,” said Maliksi.
“Eh siyempre ako, I wanted to send a message na, ‘Pangalawang beses na. Ayoko nang gawin niya lang ulit, kaya kinonfront ko talaga rin siya,” he added.
Maliksi was also referring to a hit he received from Teng in Game 2 when the SMB forward slapped the Meralco gunner on the face while trying to fight through a screen.
Maliksi said Teng actually apologized for the Game 2 hit before the start of the contest but they figured in another physical encounter which ultimately led to the confrontation in Meralco’s 93-89 Game 3 win.
Maliksi said he can let it slide the first time, but a second hit is another story.
“Di raw niya sinasadya, e paanong ‘di mo sinasadya? Sa ibabaw ng (shoulder). Pwede naman dito lang sa katawan or something, or sa kamay,” said Maliksi.
“Sabi ko, nung after namin ma-technical, sabi ko ‘wag niya na lang gawin, laro lang ng maayos. Sabi ko hindi naman ako nakikipagtirahan or nakikipag-pisikalan, naglalaro lang naman ako ng maayos,” he added.
Maliksi added that he was perfectly fine with the physicality of the teams, especially now in the Finals, but he was against any unnecessary hits that would only ruin a beautiful and exciting game.
“Ayun lang ayoko na mangyari, parang may mga cheap shots, dirty plays. Maganda ’yung laban, hindi naman na kailangan ‘yung mga ganon,” he added.
Teng was not available for comments regarding the incident as he left the Big Dome early.
