Banchero agrees to 1-yr deal with Alaska

MANILA, Philippines -- Incoming sophomore guard Chris Banchero is staying in the PBA after all as he agreed to sign a one-year contract extension with the Alaska Aces.

The 6-foot-1 guard out of Seattle Pacific decided to stick with the Aces, who drafted him fifth overall last year, quashing rumors that he’s ready to return to the Asean Basketball League via the Singapore Slingers.

“I just finished talking with him (Banchero) and his agent and I’m just happy he signed and changed his mind,” Alaska team manager Dickie Bachmann told Philstar.com on Thursday night.

Under the agreement, Banchero is set to receive a monthly contract of P225,000 for his one-year contract, or a fifty-percent increase from his rookie year pay of P150,000.

With the 26-year-old Banchero staying, the Aces are assured of a solid backcourt for another season with veterans JV Casio and RJ Jazul, along with pesky defender Chris Exciminiano at the forefront.

Banchero, named to the All-Rookie team in last week’s PBA Press Corps Annual Awards Night, 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.

Meanwhile, Bachmann clarified that backup big man Samigue Eman was not dropped in team despite being absent in the Aces’ practice for the last two weeks.

The 6-foot-9 Eman, selected second overall by Magnolia (now San Miguel Beer) in the 2007 PBA Draft, was out due to family problems, according to Bachmann.

“Eman still has one year left in his contract. He disappeared from the team the last two and a half weeks due to family problems,” said the Alaska team executive.

The Aces recently concluded their two-week training camp with Australian coach Rob Beveridge.

Alaska though was without head coach Alex Compton, Sonny Thoss, Calvin Abueva and shooting guard Dondon Hontiveros, who are all currently with Gilas Pilipinas in the ongoing Fiba-Asia men’s championships in Changsa, China.