Blackwater Elite acquire up-and-coming star Maliksi after grabbing Ellis

FIRST, it’s athletic swingman Chris Ellis. Here comes another potential star in Allein Maliksi.

The deadshot forward is headed to the Blackwater Elite following a late night deal with the Star Hotshots. The Elite will receive Mr. Maliksi and Chris Javier in exchange for Bam- Bam Gamalinda and Kyle Pascual.

Blackwater team owner Dioceldo Sy confirmed to Business

World that they’ve accepted an offer from San Miguel executive Alfrancis Chua to ship Maliksi to the Elite pending the approval of PBA Commissioner Chito Narvasa.

“I think the issue there is the playing time, but with Blackwater he can get the playing time he needs,” Mr. Sy told BusinessWorld in a telephone interview.

After winning four in a row, the Hotshots had lost their last three games, thus dimming their chances of notching a top four berth. In all those losses, Mr. Maliksi, who played for Gilas Pilipinas in the SEABA Men’s Championship, was hardly a factor.

The 6- foot- 3, former University of Santo Tomas stalwart scored seven points in barely 14 minutes of playing time in the Hotshots’ 96-90 loss to the Meralco Bolts on Saturday.

For Blackwater, getting a player of Mr. Maliksi’s caliber would mean additional firepower for the squad.

Led by import Henry Walker, the Elite had won four of six games. The addition of Mr. Maliksi could provide Blackwater more scoring punch after Mr. Walker, Mike DiGregorio and guard Roi Sumang. —