Cone believes Blackwater the right team for Maliksi
MULTI-TITLED coach Tim Cone had seen Allein Maliksi rose from being a reserve gunner to a top scorer.
It didn’t come as a surprise when he saw his former player exploded for new team, Blackwater, in his debut game just recently.
The 6-foot-3 deadshot swingman finished with 22 points while leading the Elite to only their second playoff stint in franchise history.
For Mr. Cone, seeing Mr. Maliksi performing at a high level was kinda expected.
“He’s a great scorer and it looks like Blackwater will give him the opportunity to play to his strengths. It’s a good place for him,” wrote Mr. Cone in a text message to BusinessWorld.
A talented player yet considered as a journeyman, Mr. Maliksi found himself being traded from one team to another.
He was picked up by Barako Bull as the eighth overall pick in the 2011 Rookie Draft, but was traded shortly after to Barangay Ginebra San Miguel. After two years riding the bench at the Gin Kings camp, the former University of Santo Tomas stalwart was shipped to B-Meg, former team of the old Purefoods franchise in a three-way trade.
There, at B-Meg, Mr. Maliksi had to patiently wait for his turn as he needed to come off the bench to relieve anyone from two-time Most Valuable Player James Yap and Peter June Simon as Cone, then coaching the squad, had to spread the minutes among his talented crew.
When Mr. Cone moved to Barangay Ginebra and Mr. Yap was traded to Rain or Shine for Paul Lee, Mr. Maliksi saw a great opportunity to shine and he had those moments while playing for Chito Victolero at the Star Hotshots.
But Mr. Victolero employs a defensive scheme that allows his players to rotate and divide minutes and the Hotshots felt Mr. Maliksi’s offensive talent could shine more at Blackwater, which grabbed the opportunity to nab the 6- foot- 4 player and had made him an integral part of its rotation.
Blackwater team owner Dioceldo Sy welcomed Mr. Maliksi and assured him that he will get the opportunity he needs to his young team. —