CHRIS Banchero made history by making the PBA’s first four-point shot in an official game, which wasn’t exactly a surprise for Meralco.
“Everybody was saying that,” said Banchero. “It’s always good to be in the record books. I’m happy I got to make it.”
One person that truly believed that Banchero was capable of making the historic shot was the team’s strength and conditioning coach Diego Lozano.
READ Banchero four-point shot highlights Meralco's win over Magnolia
“Coach Diego said a couple of weeks ago that I’ll be the first one to make it. And we did. But I’m just happy we got a win tonight,” said Banchero.
Banchero made the four-point shot with 10:26 remaining in the second quarter, giving Meralco the lead, 20-17. The 35-year-old Banchero hoisted the shot from the right wing after receiving a pass from Allen Durham.
His four-point shot helped Meralco grabbed a 99-94 win over Magnolia in the opener of the PBA 49th season Governors’ Cup.
Banchero said trying to make a four-point shot was the farthest thing in his mind to start of the Governors’ Cup campaign where the Bolts are fresh from capturing the Philippine Cup crown.
The 6-foot-1 guard said those kinds of attempts are rhythm shots and it was exactly how it happened when he took one in the second period.
“You don’t want to force it from the four-point line just because it is four points. You kind of want to catch it in rhythm.
“I usually shoot from that range so it kind of comes naturally. You don’t want to force it from there because it’s a little bit further. I kind of caught it in rhythm and I kind of just let it go,” Banchero said.
Meralco coach Luigi Trillo is also one of those who was not surprised by Banchero 's four-point shot.
“We believe some of our guys can shoot in that range. Sa kabila, you have Paul Lee, you have other guys who can shoot from that range. But for us, kahit dating conference, CB can take a shot from there. Bong Quinto can take a shot from there. It’s a shot that they can make.”
'It's a big play'
“What’s nice is it opens up the floor. Nagkakailangan pa nga. Minsan si Chris had the ball, he was going to take the shot, he didn’t know. But CB took the first shot so that would go down in history as the first guy who made it. Jolo (Mendoza) also had one,” Trillo said.
Overall, Meralco made 2-of-5 from four-point shots that helped the Bolts lead by as many as 14 points in the contest. The Bolts though had to hang on for dear life after Hotshots import Glenn Robinson III went for a four-shot with his team down three.
“Of course, you’ve got to adjust to it because it’s a big play. Four points can push you back in the game… They could have hit one and give it a chance. It’s fun playing with it. We will see how it goes this conference and see if they want to keep it,” said Banchero.
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