Fil-Am guard beefs up SMB in ABL

MANILA, Philippines–Crack Fil-Am point guard Chris Banchero’s agent has confirmed that the 6-foot-1, 185-pound star will suit up for San Miguel Beer in the Asean Basketball League’s third season which is expected to open in January 2012.

San Miguel Corp. Sports Director Noli Eala told the Inquirer that Banchero, who is built like Sol Mercado, had tried out before with the Smart Gilas national team in the US but was apparently not chosen to join the pool by coach Rajko Toroman.

Banchero led Seattle Pacific University to a 22-6 record and was selected by the National Association of Basketball Coaches and State Farm to the NCAA Division II men’s All-American team in 2010.

According to the Seattle Pacific University website, Banchero led the Falcons with an average of 19.6 points a game which was second highest in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference. He ranked 11th among conference players in field goal percentages with a 52 percent clip aside from averaging 2.9 assists and 1.3 steals per game.

Banchero led all SPU players in scoring on 18 occasions including two 30-point performances and 16 games in which he scored 20 or more points.

He was named GNAC and West Region “Player of the Year.”