Chris Banchero shines in PBA Draft Combine
MANILA, Philippines — Top prospects Chris Banchero and Kevin Alas led the first batch of draft applicants in day one of the 2014 Gatorade PBA Draft Combine at the Gatorade Hoops Center Monday morning in Pasig.
The Fil-Italian guard Banchero, who made a name for himself in the Asean Basketball League (ABL) before playing in the PBA D-League, relished the limelight after topping all five stations – a first in the league’s Draft Combine history since it was first held back in 1995 – testing the players’ conditioning, agility, speed, quickness and athleticism.
The 25-year-old guard Banchero recorded 8.33 seconds in the Lane Agility test, 16.87 seconds in the Shuttle Run and 2.91 seconds in the 3/4 Court Sprint while also showing off his hops with a 33.73-inch Standing Vertical Leap and a 68.32-inch in the Maximum Vertical Leap.
“I’ve been working hard ever since I got done in the D-League. I’ve been working on my game,” said Banchero, who last played for Boracay Rum in the 2014 PBA D-League. “At the end of the day, I came here to be the top performer. I work everyday to be the best. I owe it to my trainer, he deserves all the credit.”
Unlike Banchero, Alas, the Gilas Pilipinas cadet who was part of the Philippine team which recently bagged the bronze medal in the Fiba Asia Cup, took it easy during the drills.
“It was okay. It’s just more of getting in shape,” the former Letran star Alas said of his showing during the combine which culminated with a scrimmage. “Honestly, I don’t know what the coaches are thinking but in my case, I was able to play for Letran and National team and I think that’s enough basis.”
The one-time D-League MVP Alas and Banchero found themselves pitted against each other during the scrimmage but both opted to get their teammates involved rather than shoot for their points.
Alas missed all of his three attempts from the field but dished out five assists in 18 minutes while Banchero also didn’t make a basket in two tries to finish with two points and three assists in 21 minutes.
Apart from the two, former UAAP stars Jericho Cruz and Rodney Brondial, who both played for the Adamson Falcons and current NCAA standouts Juneric Baloria, Harold Arboleda and Prince Caperal and former San Beda Red Lion Rome dela Rosa were also present at the combine.
“It’s a good experience. I’m really excited for the coming Draft this Sunday,” said Cruz, who added that he’s been practicing with PBA newcomer Blackwater, the team he last played for in the D-League, since he decided to forgo his final playing year for the Falcons.
The 5-foot-11 Baloria, who is in his last playing year as Perpetual Help’s main gunner, said he has received invites from Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, Globalport and Barako Bull to workout with their respective squads.
“I feel pressured because we all know how good PBA players are and those players have already established their names in the league,” said Baloria in Filipino.
Dela Rosa meanwhile, wasn’t able to participate in the scrimmage after pulling a hamstring.
The league saw 95 players applying for this year’s draft and the applicants had to be divided into two batches based on the first letter of their surnames.
Aspirants whose last names begin with the letters A-G make up the first batch while H-Z comprise the second group, headlined by projected top overall pick by the Batang Pier Stanley Pringle, which is scheduled Tuesday morning also at the same venue.
