MANILA, Philippines — Allein Maliksi bounced back from a scoreless first half, supplying the much-needed offense in the final period as Meralco squeaked past Barangay Ginebra, 86-81, to force a sudden death Game 7 in their PBA Philippine Cup semifinal series on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

After missing his two attempts in just eight minutes of action in the first two periods, the 36-year-old Maliksi caught fire after intermission, pouring 12 of his 14 markers in the fourth period to rescue the Bolts from the jaws of defeat.