The Blackwater Elite just bolstered their roster with the addition of sharpshooter Allein Maliksi following a four-player trade with the Star Hotshots.
In the deal now awaiting approval from the Commissioner’s Office, the Elite are set to acquire Maliksi and Chris Javier in exchange for Bambam Gamalinda and Kyle Pascual.
Blackwater owner Dioceldo Sy said he didn’t have second thoughts when the 6’3″ sniper was offered to him.
“Interesado talaga ako kay Maliksi so when he was offered to us, hindi na kami nagdalawang isip,” Sy told InterAksyon. “Ok rin ako kay Javier kasi dati ko namang player yan.”
He believes that Maliksi will provide additional scoring punch to the improving Elite who have a 4-5 record in the ongoing Oppo PBA Governors’ Cup.
Maliksi, who was called up in Gilas Pilipinas’ campaign in the SEABA Championship, is averaging 8.7 points and two rebounds in 15 minutes per game this conference. He played his last game with Star on Saturday, scoring seven points in a loss to Meralco.
“With our team, he can be utilized more,” Sy said. “We need additional firepower because after Mike Digregorio and Roi Sumang, we lack the firepower.”
Maliksi is going to be Blackwater’s latest acquisition. The young squad recently landed Chris Ellis and Dave Marcelo from Barangay Ginebra.
