Banchero hits game winner as Alaska completes comeback

Chris Banchero reacts after hitting the game winner. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Chris Banchero hit the game-winning triple and Alaska shocked Meralco, 81-79, for its second straight win in the 2017 PBA Philippine Cup Wednesday night at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Banchero sank the go-ahead 3-pointer from the right corner with 4.6 ticks left that capped a 13-2 finishing kick by the Aces, who trailed, 77-68, with only 2:43 left.

“We were down nine and I was telling the guys, “hey, we have time,” said Alaska head coach Alex Compton. “What a time for JVee (Casio), RJ (Jazul) and Chris (Banchero) to step up.”

Vic Manuel had a double-double with 22 points and 10 rebounds that went with three assists, but it was Calvin Abueva’s energy and hustle that spearheaded the Aces’ comeback.

“He has an uncanny ability to penetrate, to finish, to make plays and an unbelievable amount of energy,” Compton said of his tireless forward. “But I’m most proud when he makes people around him better.”

Abueva, who is in his second game back from a quad injury, collected nine points, seven rebounds, five assists, one steal and two blocks in a little over 30 minutes of play.

Alaska shot just 4-of-12 from the three-point area but made three triples inside the last two minutes. Casio made the first, making it a four-point game before Jazul followed it up off an Abueva assist and Banchero delivered his.

Chris Newsome led all scorers with 23 points on top of eight rebounds and five assists while Reynel Hugnatan added 15 points, including a breakaway layup that put Meralco ahead by nine late.

The Bolts, who saw their two-game winning run snapped, got significant contribution from rookie Jonathan Grey.

Grey, the former St. Benilde star, had eight points, five rebounds and three assists and nearly won the game for Meralco, converting on a go-ahead drive against Abueva, 79-78, with 15.1 seconds remaining.