Aces keep backcourt intact, set to re-sign Jazul, Banchero

MANILA, Philippines -- Alaska hopes to bring stability and support on lead playmaker JV Casio as the Aces are set to sign up backup guards RJ Jazul and incoming Fil-Italian playmaker by next week to separate multi-million peso contracts.

Aces team manager Dickie Bachman admitted that both guards are vital to the team’s future campaigns, which is why they have placed them in the list of players they intend to bring back next season.

“RJ is almost done (in the negotiation). And basically, he’s just gonna be coming over to sign it (contract),” Bachmann told Philstar.com. 

The 5-foot-11 Jazul is set to get a three-year contract extension.

Terms of the contract were not divulged though.

The former Letran star averaged 6.2 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists for the Aces this past season, providing a solid outside scoring threat under coach Alex Compton.

On the other hand, the stocky Banchero has been offered a two-year contract worth around P6.7 million.

The Alaska team executive said despite back and forth negotiations the past weeks, he doesn’t see any reason why Banchero won’t stay with the Aces.

“We’re offering Chris the rookie maximum that’s allowed. So he’s just gonna come over and sign,” said Bachmann.

“He (Banchero) said he’s just waiting for his American agent. But more or less, he’s set to sign next week.”

The cat-quick Banchero averaged decent numbers of 6.9 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists in his rookie season, helping the Aces to a pair of runner-up finishes in the Philippine Cup and Governors Cup,
respectively.

Bachmann added that both guards are expected to learn a lot from Australian legendary coach Patrick Beveridge, who will be conducting a two-week training camp with the Aces starting next Monday.