ALLEIN Maliksi returned to his old playground with gusto and led Meralco to a wire-to-wire triumph versus old rival Barangay Ginebra in the PBA on Tour at the UST Gym Wednesday night.
Maliksi poured in three three-pointers and a team-high total of 23 points in a sweet homecoming in his Espana-based alma mater as the Bolts smothered the Gin Kings, 106-103, in their keenly awaited match in the preseason series presented by Arena Plus and sponsored by Bingo Plus.
Bong Quinto had his own explosive outing with five treys and a total of 22 markers while Raymond Almazan came through with a double-double game with 13 points and 12 rebounds as the Bolts bounced back from a rout by the Magnolia Hotshots the last time out.
With Cliff Hodge also providing a push, the Bolts pulled one against their old tormentors and handed them their first loss in their last four games.
The Bolts jacked up their On Tour mark to 5-3 while the Kings dropped to 4-4.
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From the early minutes, Maliksi and Quinto led the way for the Bolts, combining for 26 points as Meralco took the half at 57-46.
The Bolts led by 19 early on before settling for the 11-point margin through the first 24 minutes of play.
With the torrid shooting of Maliksi and Quinto, the Bolts blasted the Kings from afar. The Kings were 15-of-36 from the arc as against the Kings' 5-of-22.
Meralco, led by Almazan and Hodge, also ourebounded Ginebra, 49-36.
Von Pessumal fired 26 points to pace the Kings who also drew double-digit outputs from Jeremiah Gray (15), Sidney Onwubere (14) and Jonathan David (12).
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Aljon Mariano made just eight points, four rebounds and one assist in his visit in his old lair. (SB)
