Banchero makes waves in PBA D-League debut as Boracay drowns Derulo

Chris Banchero of Boracay Rum (dark) vs Jackson Corpuz of Derulo Accelero (light). NUKI SABIO/PBA IMAGE

MANILA, Philippines — Fil-Italian guard Chris Banchero made quite a splash in his debut as Boracay Rum overpowered newcomer Derulo Accelero, 86-59, in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at the Arellano Gym Tuesday.

Banchero scored 15 points and dished out four assists apart from providing the leadership the Waves lacked in their previous campaigns.

“We played great a third quarter and everybody played a great game. Every time you win by 20 points it’s a great game,” said Banchero.

It was a close game until Boracay cruised in the second half after outscoring the Oilers, 31-16 in the pivotal third quarter, where the Waves shot 61% from the field.

Mark Belo, the Far Eastern Unviersity forward, also shone with a game-high 16 points, 10 in the third period.

As early as his first game, Banchero, the former ABL standout, made clear of what he wants.

“I want to win a championship for Boracay and to be able to do that I have to get my teammates involved,” he said, adding “this team is not about me.”

Earlier, Jumbo Plastic scored a 76-56 rout of National University-BDO, which played sans its star in Bobby Ray Parks Jr.

Giants big men Jason Ballesteros and Jan Colina led the way with 15 points each. Colina, the former Adamson center, also had four assists and three steals.

“We have a lot of veteran players in the team and they’re doing a good job helping out the young guns. I thought we played well on both ends,” said Jumbo Plastic coach Steveson Tiu, whose team opened the game on a 12-0 run and led by as much as 22 points in the fourth quarter.

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