Maliksi out, Banchero sidelined as Meralco wins two

Veteran player Allein Maliksi is out of Meralco's Philippine Cup title defense due to a back injury causing sciatica.

Maliksi, who is 37 years old and a five-time PBA champion, cannot provide a specific return date as he undergoes intensive rehabilitation.

Meanwhile, teammate Chris Banchero, also crucial to the team, is sidelined with hamstring issues but expected to return in two weeks.

Despite the absence of these key players, Meralco has won their first two games this season, defeating Converge and Terrafirma.

The team will face San Miguel Beer on Wednesday as part of the league's 50th anniversary celebrations at Rizal Memorial Coliseum.