MERALCO wingman Allein Maliksi and Ginebra counterpart Aljon Mariano could not help but feel nostalgic when the Bolts battled the Kings last Wednesday in the PBA On Tour at the University of Santo Tomas Quadricentennial Pavilion.
“There were a lot of memories na naalala ko being a student-athlete here before. So, I was very excited to come back,” Maliksi said.
“Naaalala ko iyong teammates ko, coaches. Ang dami pa ring familiar faces na nakita ko,” Mariano said. “So, nakakatuwa na nandito pa rin sila and kasama ko sila sa journey ko noong college.”
Meralco whipped Ginebra 106-93 to atone for a 101-121 drubbing at the hands of Magnolia last Sunday and raised its mark to 5-3 in a tie with Blackwater in the pro league’s exhibition series.
The Kings saw their three-game winning streak, counting a 114-106 win over Terrafirma seven days ago, end and fell to 4-4.
Unlike Maliksi, Mariano already got to play at the QPav during his time with the Growling Tigers.
“Dito kami nag-stay and nagpa-practice every game,” Mariano, who suited up for the España-based school from 2009-2014, said.
“Sayang nga lang hindi namin nakuha iyong panalo, pero I hope nag-enjoy naman yung lahat.”
Also making a return to the school was NorthPort team manager and former UST comebacking Tigers coach Pido Jarencio, who guided the team to a riveting title run in 2006– its last.
The Batang Pier lost to NLEX 87-95 in the first game.
“Salamat sa PBA On Tour and sa UST for making this happen,” Mariano said. “Irte-treasure ko ito, babalikan ko pa rin ito kahit pagtanda ko.”
