Allein Maliksi impressed in his debut with the Blackwater Elite who completed the eight-team quarterfinal cast of the Oppo PBA Governors’ Cup after turning back the GlobalPort Batang Pier, 118-107, on Sunday at Ynares Center in Antipolo.
The victory by the Elite, who improved to 5-5, handed them a playoff ticket together with Barangay Ginebra, Meralco, NLEX, San Miguel, TNT, Star and Rain or Shine.
It also eliminated GlobalPort (3-7) and Alaska (3-7) which both couldn’t reach five wins anymore.
Maliksi scored 22 points in his first game for the Elite since being traded by the Star Hotshots last week.
Roi Sumang added 21 markers while Henry Walker had a relatively modest output of 19 points and 13 boards.
With Maliksi leading the way, Blackwater established a 62-50 halftime lead.
GlobalPort suffered a huge blow in its battle for survival as superstar Terrence Romeo got ejected at the 5:01 mark of the second period for throwing the ball at Walker out of frustration.
The Elite pounced on Romeo’s absence, extending their lead to as big as 21 points, 90-69, in the third frame.
But GlobalPort threatened in the fourth quarter, with an 11-4 run pulling the Batang Pier to within six, 109-103, with 2:39 left.
However, Blackwater made huge baskets to douse GlobalPort’s rally.
Murphy Holloway tallied 28 points and 23 boards to pace GlobalPort.
The scores:
BLACKWATER 118 – Maliksi 22, Sumang 21, Walker 19, Digregorio 16, Marcelo 13, Erram 11, Belo 8, Pinto 8, Canaleta 0, Cruz 0.
GLOBALPORT 107 – Holloway 28, Pringle 27, Romeo 13, Baracael 11, Anthony 8, Guinto 6, Cortez 6, Arana 4, Cardona 4, Hubalde 0, Mamaril 0.
Quarters: 31-29, 62-50, 92-77, 118-107.
