Meralco's Banchero bounces back from injury, cops PBA weekly player citation

MANILA, Philippines — After starting the conference with an injury, Chris Banchero is regaining his old form that has been key to Meralco’s recent wins.

Banchero averaged 22 points while shooting 61% from the field over the past two games. He also posted 3.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.0 steals on his way to being named as the Pilipinas Live-PBA Press Corps Player of the Week for the period January 14-19.

The pair of games that Banchero played were against NorthPort last Tuesday and San Miguel last Saturday in the contest held at the Candon City Arena.

“I think it’s really good for us to go against these tough teams, these top teams, because it’ll prepare us for the playoffs. We need that,” said Banchero on facing the Batang Pier and the Beermen during the week.

Banchero missed the first five games of the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup due to a hamstring tear sustained during a tune-up game prior to the conference, but has now healed and ready to contribute for the Bolts’ late push in the eliminations.

The Meralco guard began the week by finishing with 25 points on 10-for-15 shooting from the field, four rebounds, and six assists in their 114-94 win over NorthPort. He also contributed 19 points on 8-for-14 from the field, two rebounds and two assists in their 100-93 out-of-town game win over San Miguel.

Meralco is in the thick of the race for the two twice-to-beat incentives in the quarterfinals as the Bolts are in the upper half of the standings with a 7-3 win-loss record. The Bolts will still go up against Barangay Ginebra and Magnolia to close the eliminations.

“It will show where we are at as a team and it’ll prepare us definitely for the playoffs. We need to be playing our best basketball,” said Banchero.