AFTER starting the conference with an injury, Chris Banchero is fast regaining his old form and has been the key to Meralco’s recent wins.
Banchero averaged 22 points while shooting 61 percent from the field in the team’s last two games. He also posted 3.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.0 steals on his way to being named the Pilipinas Live-PBA Press Corps Player of the Week for Jan. 14 to 19.
Banchero marked his comeback against NorthPort last Tuesday and San Miguel last Saturday 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,” Banchero said.
Banchero missed the first five games of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup due to a hamstring tear sustained during a tune-up game before the conference but is ready to contribute to 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 with a 7-3 record. The Bolts will go up against Barangay Ginebra and Magnolia to close the eliminations.
“It will show where we are as a team and it’ll prepare us definitely for the playoffs. We need to be playing our best basketball,” said Banchero.