^

Sports

Maliksi out of Philippines Cup due to sciatica

Olmin Leyba - The Philippine Star
Maliksi out of Philippines Cup due to sciatica
Allein Maliksi
STAR / File

MANILA, Philippines — Veteran Allein Maliksi has been ruled out of Meralco’s Philippine Cup title defense, leaving the Bolts without one of the stalwarts from their champion crew.

Maliksi is dealing with sciatica from a back injury he sustained in the mid-season Commissioner’s Cup last January. Sciatica is pain that radiates along the nerve from the lower back down to the leg.

“It will take time to heal, para mawala ‘yung pain saka numbness. Kailangan talagang intensive na rehab para maka-recover. Aantayin lang din talaga na mawala ‘yung sciatica,” the 37-year-old shooting guard said.

For now, the five-time PBA champion couldn’t give a timetable for his return.

“Hindi ko masabi, eh. Ayoko din munang magbigay ng timing. Basta ang sabi lang naman is take your time and huwag madaliin. Ako naman ite-take ko lang day by day.”

Maliksi takes solace in the fact he can already jog and do strength workouts at this point.

Chris Banchero, another key player in the Meralco title defense, is also sitting out due to hamstring issues. But Banchero is expected to be back in harness in two weeks’ time.

The Bolts have hurdled their first two assignments minus the two, posting a come-from-behind 91-89 thriller over Converge before bamboozling Terrafirma, 118-80.

Meralco stakes its 2-0 record against payback-seeking San Miguel Beer (1-0) tomorrow at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in the pro league’s 7:30 p.m. main offering on its 50th anniversary.

ALLEIN MALIKSI

  • Latest
  • Trending
Latest
Are you sure you want to log out?
X
Login

Philstar.com is one of the most vibrant, opinionated, discerning communities of readers on cyberspace. With your meaningful insights, help shape the stories that can shape the country. Sign up now!

Get Updated:

Signup for the News Round now

FORGOT PASSWORD?
SIGN IN
or sign in with
-->