PBA -D League top pick Chris Banchero (second from right) and Boracay Rum coach Lawrence Chongson (center) sealed a deal last week after the 6-1 Fil-Italian and Asian Basketball League MVP agreed to play for the Waves for the PBA-D League 2014 season. Also in photo Banchero’s agent Marvin Espiritu (extreme right) and Matthew Manotoc (second from left) and Jean Alabanza, Boracay Rum team manager.
TOP ROOKIE pick Chris Banchero will bring his celebrated act to Boracay Rum as the two camps finally ironed out kinks a month before new PBA D-League season kicks off.
Banchero signed a tender offer sheet with the Waves on Monday after sorting out the Filipino-Italian guard’s concerns due to prior commitments with other teams.
“We’re only after Banchero playing for us,” said Boracay Rum coach Lawrence Chongson.
Before the Waves made him the No. 1 pick in the league’s inaugural Rookie Draft last week, Banchero aired concerns as he already signed a playing and endorsement deal with defending champion Blackwater Sports.
Banchero also starred in San Miguel Beer’s championship romp in the Asean Basketball League (ABL) this year aside from serving as the brand’s image model.
Boracay Rum, a product of the Tanduay Distillers Inc., is a rival of San Miguel Corporation.
“We’re happy that it’s over–signed, sealed and delivered,” said Chongson. “He’ll play for us, that’s it. He can do any endorsement he wants. We’re just hoping that he’ll help us win our first championship.”
Banchero, the ABL Finals MVP, left for Italy yesterday and will return before the developmental league’s fourth season fires off on Oct. 24 at Ynares Sports Arena.