Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 2) – Star guard Chris Banchero is set to power up the Meralco Bolts backcourt as he signs with one of the Manny Pangilinan-owned PBA squads, the team announced on Wednesday.
“His experience and talent are evident, now the next step is to have him adjusted as quickly as possible,” said Meralco head coach Norman Black.
The Bolts had a chance to acquire the 33-year-old guard after he became an unrestricted free agent on Monday, following the expiration of his contract with the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters.
Banchero is expected to fill in the slot of fellow backcourt specialist Nard Pinto, who moved to Barangay Ginebra last month.
The Filipino Italian cager is averaging 18.0 points, 4.4 assists, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.4 steals in the five games that the Fuel Masters played in the 2021-22 PBA Governors’ Cup.
Banchero will play for his fourth PBA team in Meralco, after a five-year stint with Alaska and stops with Magnolia and Phoenix.
