CHRIS Banchero INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—It looks like there won’t be a tug of war between Blackwater and Boracay Rum for the Fil-Italian Chris Banchero.
Boracay Rum head coach Lawrence Chongson said he would not let Banchero go no matter what, but Blackwater mentor Leo Isaac cleared that his team won’t be chasing after the prized guard.
Banchero reportedly had signed a contract with Blackwater in the off-season and even suited up for the most recent D-League champions in a series of friendlies before the drafting was instated.
But Boracay Rum, who had a franchise-best third place finish last conference, was selected Banchero as the number one pick.
“Wala na. Inabot kami ng proseso ng drafting kaya wala kaming magagawa kundi sundin yun,” Isaac told reporters after the drafting in PBA office in Libis, QC.
Chongson is confident that Banchero will embrace his new squad in the D-League, just a few months removed from steering San Miguel to a crown in the ABL.
“Bakit di naman sya di maglalaro?” replied Chongson when asked of the possibility that Banchero won’t suit up. “Sakripisyo lang naman 8-9 months [sa D-League], then he can go and pursue his PBA dreams. Pit stop lang naman ito.”
The pro-league requires foreign players with Filipino roots, aged 25 and below, to suit up at least two conferences in the D-League before applying for the PBA draft.
Banchero is expected to give the Waves the push they need to finally reach the finals as the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup opens on October 24.
“Intact naman yung core ko eh. Siguro yung extra push na lang to get the championship andito na,” Chongson said.
Blackwater likewise retained the squad which brought the Elite their first ever title last June, with the likes of Rob Celis, Justin Chua, Kevin Ferrer and the returning Jeric Fortuna.
The Elite also got a solid pick in Adamson’s Jericho Cruz.
“Kung may kumuha kay Banchero ahead of us, we have to focus on the other players that can fill up the space for Blackwater,” Isaac said.