Ael Banal is bringing his talents to the halfcourt game as he’s named part of Platinum Karaoke ahead of the PBA 3X3 Second Conference’s Leg 2.
Chosen by Blackwater with the no. 1 pick in the regular round of the 2016 Rookie Draft, the combo guard entered the guest team to be its sixth man, according to the memo issued by the league Friday.
This will be Banal’s return to action since playing for Nueva Ecija in the 2021 Chooks-to-Go MPBL Invitational Tournament last December. There, the Rice Vanguards finished as runners-up to Basilan Steel.
Aside from adding Banal, Platinum has also reactivated top gunner Chris De Chavez for the March 5-6 hostilities at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The 6-foot-6 sniper is taking the place of Ryan Monteclaro after missing the first leg two weeks ago. There, the team bowed out of the quarterfinals following a loss to reigning grand champions Limitless App, 11-21.
Returning as well is his brother Chris. The wide-bodied shooter has been activated by Pioneer ProTibay, together with Christian Rivera. The two will be taking the spots of Carlo Escalambre and Dan Reducto.
Photo by PBA Images
Other teams have also done minor tweaks to their lineups for the second leg. CAVITEX, for one, has reactivated veteran sniper Larry Fonacier and AC Soberano in lieu of Dominick Fajardo and Kyles Lao.
Ditto with San Miguel Beer. Bacon Austria will return to the fold, activated alongside new guy Moncrief Rogado for Louie Vigil and James Mangahas.
