PBA: Allein Maliksi shares lesson from Tim Cone as Meralco faces Barangay Ginebra in semis do-or-die

Allein Maliksi has one lesson he will bring on the court when Meralco faces Barangay Ginebra on Friday in Game 7 of the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals.

That lesson is something he has learned from Tim Cone, the head coach of the opposing squad.

"Game 7, all-out. 'Yun lang naman eh. It comes to whoever is determined, 'yung talagang gusto manalo, ibibigay lahat para manalo, 'yun 'yung magbibigay ng difference. Sabi nga ni Coach Tim when I was with San Mig [Coffee], magkakasama kami, we fought a lot of Game 7 do-or-die, it comes to the players na kung paano ie-execute," Maliksi said on Wednesday after the Bolts' 86-81 Game 6 win against Barangay Ginebra.

Maliksi played with the Magnolia franchise, then named San Mig Coffee, from 2013-17 before he was traded to Blackwater.

With San Mig Coffee, Maliksi won four titles, including the Grand Slam in the 2013-14 season.

"It's really hard na kalaban si Coach Tim kasi he's really a genius in terms of coaching, system, and strategies, nandun pa si Coach Richard [Del Rosario], 'yung tandem nila, magaling talaga. Imagine how many rings and championships and 'yung percentage of winning nila. We really have to be prepared and kailangan walang lapses. Kailangan well-execution ng game plan."

Maliksi had 14 points, six rebounds, and two assists in Game 6 of the series.

Cone, for his part, only had a few words after their loss last Wednesday.

"Best two words in sports: Game Seven."

—JKC, GMA Integrated News