CHRIS Banchero was once again on fire from fours for Meralco on Tuesday in their PBA 50th Season Governors’ Cup game against Blackwater.
Banchero made three of his four fours in the Bolts’ 116-114 win over Blackwater, their second win of the conference, ending up with 15 points after dropping their first game against Phoenix Super LPG last July 15.
In their second game of the Governors’ Cup on July 18, Banchero was perfect from fours, making all three of his attempts from way out on his way to a 15-point outing in their 122-114 win over Rain or Shine.
READ: Meralco averts collapse vs Blackwater on late Newsome winner
With those numbers, Banchero is now 6-of-7 from fours after three games, already surpassing his output last conference in the Commissioner’s Cup where he was 5-of-25, and in the season-opening Philippine Cup where he was 3-of-15.
Banchero is in the PBA record books as the first player to convert a four-point shot during the opening of the 49th Season against Magnolia on August 18, 2024 and his recent efficiency from that spot is certainly a welcome boost for Meralco.
But he made it clear that he is not after those fours, and that his recent high volume of attempts from that spot is a result of what the defense presents.
“I’m working on everything. But the shots are falling right now,” Banchero said. “I just kinda take what they give me.”
“When they start coming out, I have to start going to the cup. But whatever they give me is what I’ve got to take,” Banchero said.
Banchero’s last four-point shot of the game came in the 7:31 mark of the fourth which enabled Meralco to post a 110-92 lead. But it was a rebound and assist by Banchero that sealed the victory.
Banchero secured the board after a missed shot by Blackwater import Kentrell Barkley, and found a wide-open Chris Newsome in transition, with Newsome making a lay-up over Sedrick Barefield with 3.9 seconds left.
“I was crashing (the boards), I don’t want to get yelled at by coach. I did my best to box out, I was able to get the rebound. I just pushed it. I was gonna throw it to Hes (Antonio Hester) but then I saw New, and it was kinda natural, I threw it to New and he finished it.
“It was a good finish. Sedrick was there. I thought New did a great job. He had a tough assignment guarding their import all night. I thought he did a great job."
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