Hotshot scorer Maliksi replaces injured Lee in Gilas pool

Star Hotshots scorer Allein Maliksi got a surprise call to beef up Gilas Pilipinas.

The high-flyer turned streak shooter became the latest addition to the national team pool on Tuesday.

But unlike the case of Troy Rosario, who was summoned to the pool despite original TNT pick Jayson Castro being healthy, Maliksi will join Gilas as an injury replacement of sorts to Paul Lee.

Coach Chot Reyes re­vealed to Gilas at the start of their three-day training camp in Tagaytay that Lee has a meniscus tear and had to be replaced by Maliksi “for now.”

Also sidelined in the first day of the camp is GlobalPort’s explosive guard Terrence Romeo, who according to Reyes has been sick for five days already.

Meanwhile, he also gave big men Japeth Aguilar and June­mar Fajardo the day off after slugging it out in the PBA Philippine Cup Finals won by the latter’s San Miguel squad.

Meanwhile, injury bug struck Gilas right in Day 1 as Arth Dela Cruz suffered an ankle injury during the morning practice.

Dela Cruz was rushed to the Makati Medical Center for the extent of his injury. PNA