Jeron Teng wants to fight Allein Maliksi after a heated exchange

ALLEIN Maliksi and Jeron Teng figured in an altercation that led to both players being slapped technical fouls in Game Three of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals on Sunday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Maliksi and Teng had to be separated by a referee and their respective teammates following a heated exchange in the third quarter of the Meralco Bolts’ 93-89 win over San Miguel for a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.

When interviewed after the match, Maliksi claimed that he was hit twice by Teng, prompting him to confront the San Miguel forward.

“First time kasi, closed fist sa mata. Pangalawa naman, hindi ko naman siya parang binangga or anything, tinukuran niya ako sa leeg,” said Maliksi.

“Siyempre, parang ako, I want to send a message na pangalawang beses na ‘yan eh. You can touch me sa baba ng shoulder pero above the shoulder na, mukha na. Sobra na. Ayoko lang gawin niya uli ‘yun kaya kinonfront ko na rin siya.”

Maliksi said Teng told him hits were unintentional, but he thinks otherwise.

“Hindi daw niya sinasadya. Paano mo hindi sinasadya, puwede naman dito lang sa katawan o sa kamay. Sabi ko nung after naming ma-technical, ‘wag na lang niya gawin. Sabi ko, laro lang ng maayos. Hindi naman ako nakikipagtirahan o pisikalan.

“Ayoko lang mangyari na may cheap shot, dirty plays. Maganda ‘yung laban. Hindi naman kailangan ‘yung mga ganun,” said Maliksi.

When asked for his side, Teng admitted there was an incident between him and Maliksi in Game Two last Friday but it was unintentional as the contact came during a screen. Teng said he even approached Maliksi before Game Three to apologize.

Teng, however, admitted he took exception to Maliksi putting his elbow around his neck during the Game Three confrontation.

“To be honest, hindi ko alam ‘yung sinasabi niyang dalawang beses. ‘Yung nangyari last game, hindi naman talaga sadya, and prior to the game awhile ago, nilapitan ko siya na, ‘Kuya, hindi ko sinasadya.’ Sumabit naman talaga sa pick ni Norbert [Torres] kaya ko siya natamaan eh.”

“When we were warming up, I approached him and nag-sorry ako sa kanya. Akala ko okay na. During the game, wala naman ako naalala na tinamaan ko siya or anything. Maybe I was going for an offensive rebound.

“Alam mo naman ‘yun na it’s the finals, medyo physical. Hindi ko na problem kung ayaw niya ‘yung physicality. Doon nga sa replay sa video, nakita ko hindi ko naman siya tinamaan.

“What I didn’t like is after the deadball, ginanun niya ‘yung elbow niya sa may neck ko. Hindi naman on-ball play ‘yun. Dead ball na eh. That’s what I didn’t like,” said Teng.

Maliksi said Teng did approach him before Game Three.

Teng keen to move on

“Kanina, during warm-ups, (tinanong) kung okay lang naman ako. Pero pagpasok kasi, papasok siya, hinarangan ako, sa leeg agad ang tungkod. Hindi na okay kasi pangalawang beses na ‘yun,” said Maliksi.

Teng said he would rather move on from the incident and focus on Game Four where San Miguel will try to even the series after Meralco’s 93-89 win.

“Nothing against Maliksi, alam ko nadadala lang sa finals ‘yun. Instead na mag-focus kami sa ganyan, mag-focus na lang kami sa laro,” said Teng.