Banchero wants another ABL crown

MANILA, Philippines - San Miguel Beer hotshot Chris Banchero would like to take another shot at the Asean Basketball League (ABL) title and help the franchise carve a record as the first back-to-back champion in the regional pro loop.

“I wanna win another championship in the ABL,” said Banchero when he guested in yesterday’s PSA Forum  at Shakey’s Malate with coach Leo Austria, team manager Rico Meneses, and teammates Asi Taulava, Brian Williams and Justin Williams.

Fil-Italian Banchero had turned in an MVP performance to contribute to SMB’s 3-0 sweep of the Indonesia Warriors in the last week’s finals. The Beermen not only erased the stigma of their heartbreaking 1-2 finals setback in 2012 but also stopped the Warriors’ bid to become the first ABL squad to retain the crown.

A stint at the Philippine Basketball Association D-League is in the pipeline for the 6-foot-1 Banchero and afterwards he’s looking forward to returning to the SMB fold.

“I’m gonna play in the D-League in the upcoming year and also play in the ABL and try to win another championship,” said Banchero.

The team will have their evaluation and meeting with management within the week to discuss the next step for the SMC ballclub.

“Management and coaching staff will still have to meet to know what the plans will be for the next season but I’m sure, we want to be back-to-back champions,” said Austria, adding that whatever the plans may be, “I’m sure it will be to form a stronger team next season because we know every team in the ABL will try hard to form a competitive team against San Miguel.”

As ABL champions, the Beermen are supposed to represent the region in the Fiba Asia Champions Cup in September in Jordan but their participation is still up in the air at this point.

“We understand the champion and second placer are usually invited to the Champions Cup but we still have to receive any formal invitation,” said Meneses. “It’s going to be an honor for the team to participate but right now, one issue of concern is the scheduling (of the Champions Cup) because we usually don’t have a team by that time. So it’s really up to management to decide whether we’re going to send the team.” 

After this campaign, the team members will go their separate ways. Austria rejoins Adamson Falcons in the UAAP while the two imports will return to the US and the rest will take a much-needed breather.

Taulava, who is reportedly being eyed for a return stint in the PBA after being adjudged ABL MVP, is going on an R&R first.

“I’ve talked to my agent (Sheryl Reyes) and she said there’s nothing on the table yet. So I’m gonna enjoy vacation with my wife and kids first and hopefully hear from the bosses (regarding my status)” said the 40-year-old Fil-Tongan.