Chris Banchero remains a question mark for Meralco ahead of its PBA Governors’ Cup Finals opener against Barangay Ginebra San Miguel on Wednesday, April 6 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Meralco coach Norman Black bared that Banchero is still a game-time decision after suffering an injury on his upper body during the hard-fought semifinal series victory over Magnolia Pambansang Manok.
Black said Banchero didn’t take part in Monday’s practice, but added that it will ultimately be up for the Bolts guard to decide on his availability for Game 1 or for the rest of the best-of-seven affair.
“Chris Banchero did not practice today. We will see tomorrow (Tuesday) if he will be a go or not, so I guess he’s really a game-time decision right now,” Black said during the pre-finals press conference at Novotel Manila in Cubao.
“I’m really leaving it up to him at this point because he knows his body more than anyone. But hopefully he will be available in the series,” he added.
Banchero’s status may play a determining role in whether Meralco can finally topple Ginebra after losing the previous three meetings against the same team for the Governors’ Cup championship.
The dashing guard averaged 11.7 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists in 13 games since signing with the Bolts as an unrestricted free agent in early-February.
He got hurt during Game 4 of the Magnolia series, and missed the deciding fifth game which saw Meralco prevailing 94-81.
Aaron Black stepped up in Banchero’s absence, scoring 16 points for Meralco.