Team USA’s Paolo Banchero gestures during the FIBA Basketball World Cup group C match between US and New Zealand at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay city, suburban Manila on August 26, 2023. (Photo by SHERWIN VARDELEON / AFP)
MANILA, Philippines—PBA player Chris Banchero pulled up at the Fiba World Cup games to show his support for his cousin Paolo and Team USA on Tuesday.
Chris, who plays for the Meralco Bolts, said watching his cousin Paolo, the 2023 NBA Rookie of the Year, compete on the world’s biggest stage for basketball is simply incredible.
“It’s amazing, playing on this stage and being able to watch him play at this level is an amazing thing,” Chris said before the Italy-USA quarterfinals game at Mall of Asia Arena.
“We spoke when he first got here and after the Greece game. He’s very locked in, obviously, they’re trying to win gold for USA.”
Meralco’s new guard Chris Banchero. PBA IMAGES
Paolo Banchero has been superb for Team USA thus far, posting norms of 10.2 points and 3.4 rebounds after five games, helping the Americans tally a 4-1 record before the final phase.
Any other family bonding, however, will have to wait as Paolo is still very much locked in at the global competition with the Americans headed to the semifinals.
“I don’t know if we’ll meet after this game, probably not but after everything’s done, we will,” said Chris.
Should the Americans win their quarterfinal clash with the Italians, they will face either Latvia or Germany in the semifinals.