Chris Banchero made a Meralco coach speak into existence his call that he would be the first to make the four-point shot in an official PBA game.
The star guard on Sunday night wrote his name in the league’s history books as the first to do so during the Bolts’ eventual win over Magnolia in the Season 49 opener, proving strength and conditioning coach Diego Lozano right.
“Coach Diego said a couple of weeks ago that I’d be the first one to make it. We did,” he told reporters moments after their 99-94 escape in a thrilling Governors’ Cup encounter at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Banchero swished in the 27-foot jumper at the 10:26-mark of the second quarter, right after receiving the kick-out pass of Allen Durham.
That play, of course, was lauded by fans at the Big Dome, as it also symbolized the start of what could be a game-changing rule in the league.
It should no longer come as a surprise that he made one since he’s been shooting from afar for a while now, but he believes that there will be more four-pointers coming from Meralco soon, especially when the others return.
The veteran gunner did attend the opening but was sidelined due to a groin injury, joining Raymond Almazan — himself the three-point champion among bigs in the last All-Star in Bacolod — in the injury/reserve list.
Well, even without Maliksi in action, youngster Jolo Mendoza showed that he can, too, when he made the other four-pointer in the win. He nailed as much approaching the last minute of the second period as well.
“We got a lot of shooters in the team,” said Banchero, who finished with 14 points. “When Allein comes back he’s able to shoot the four as well.
“Jolo did a great job tonight. Happy to see him play well. Everybody knows he can shoot. He played with a lot of confidence tonight,” he added.
Banchero didn’t hide that it felt nice to have written a record but he’s much happier with the win, as it gave the Bolts a head start in Group A.
“It’s always good to be in the record books. Happy I got to make it,” he said. “I’m just happy we got the win tonight. That’s a tough team we played.
“They came prepared. I’m glad we’re able to get that win. This season and this one is just gonna go by quick, so every win is extremely important.”
