Banchero says playoff-bound Meralco needs to reach ‘better level’ for tougher battles

MANILA, Philippines – Meralco got back on track in the PBA Governors’ Cup, but its win over NorthPort left much to be desired for Chris Banchero.

Banchero said the Bolts need to get to a “better level” for the playoffs after they clinched their quarterfinal berth with a 114-104 victory over the Batang Pier at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Saturday, September 14.

The veteran guard raised the fact that Meralco allowed NorthPort to score 37 points in the opening quarter alone, which ran counter to the Bolts’ status as one of the best defensive teams in the league.

“I’m glad we closed it out, but I think everybody in the team understands that we need to play a lot better basketball, especially going into these playoffs,” said Banchero, who churned out 19 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists.

“The basketball just got to get to a better level, especially defensively.”

Banchero knocked down timely buckets in the fourth period as Meralco fended off a gritty Batang Pier side that refused to go out without a fight even after the sudden exit of import Venky Jois, who sustained an apparent foot injury.

NorthPort stayed within striking distance with four minutes remaining, 97-105, before Banchero knocked down a three-pointer that gave the Bolts a double-digit cushion.

Chris Newsome then scored the last 6 points for Meralco as he finished with 20 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block.

Import Allen Durham put up 23 points, 13 rebounds, and 4 assists to show the way for the Bolts, who improved to 6-2 and joined fellow Group A team TNT (6-1) among the early playoff entrants.

CJ Cansino (12), Brandon Bates (12), and Anjo Caram (10) also scored in twin digits in the victory, while big men Raymond Almazan and Cliff Hodge chimed in 6 and 5 points, respectively, in their return from their injuries.

“It is always good to have Cliff back and Mond back and they make life a lot easier. But we’ve got a lot of guys in this team who can play basketball and they stepped up early on in that conference,” said Banchero.

“It is always that next man up, there is going to be different things that happen throughout the conference and guys are always going to have to be ready to play.”

Arvin Tolentino did the heavy lifting for the Batang Pier, churning out 28 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists in over 40 minutes of action.

But without Jois, who needed to be wheeled out of the court after getting hurt with under four minutes left in the first quarter, NorthPort absorbed its second straight loss and dropped to 3-5.

Joshua Munzon backstopped Tolentino with 17 points and Damie Cuntapay added 12 points.

The Scores

Meralco 114 – Durham 23, Newsome 20, Banchero 19, Cansino 12, Bates 12, Caram 10, Quinto 7, Almazan 6, Hodge 5, Pascual 0, Mendoza 0, Torres 0, Jose 0.

NorthPort 104 – Tolentino 28, Munzon 17, Cuntapay 12, Navarro 11, Yu 9, Flores 9, Amores 7, Jois 4, Bulanadi 4, Jalalon 3, Tratter 0, Onwubere 0, Nelle 0, Taha 0.

Quarters: 41-37, 67-59, 89-80, 114-104.

– Rappler.com