Chris Banchero helped Meralco maintain its high voltage to finally get on the board against TNT in Game 3 of their best-of-seven PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup semifinal joust Friday, Jan. 9.
Chris Banchero could not stress enough how important Game 3 of the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup semifinals is to Meralco.
Down 0-2 against TNT, the Bolts seemingly received a tall order from their team management to score a breakthrough Friday night, Jan. 9.
Meralco did just that, finally hacking out a 97-89 win on a night the Tropang 5G paid tribute to Ranidel de Ocampo with a jersey retirement at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.
[RELATED STORY: TNT retires Ranidel de Ocampo’s No. 33 jersey: 'Sobrang proud ako at na-recognize ang pangalan ko']
“I think everybody knew how big a game this was for the company,” said Banchero, who earned the Player of the Game nod behind his 18 points, six rebounds and two assists.
“We had a really important meeting. The management came in. They expected us to perform tonight, and we did.”
Right off the bat, Meralco sparked a 21-12 lead that later ballooned to 46-32 behind CJ Cansino and Bong Quinto, who combined for 18 points at halftime.
Cansino topscored alongside Banchero with their identical 18 markers.
CJ Cansino finds his groove in Game 3 of the PBA semifinals. | Photo: RM Chua/One Sports
Chris Newsome tallied 17 points, four rebounds, and five assists before his exit with 2:01 remaining in the game because of a left knee issue, while Quinto wound up with 13 points.
But while the Bolts enjoyed their 16-point lead, 63-47, the Tropang 5G played inspired ball and rallied.
RR Pogoy put up his own 12-0 run late in the third to allow his squad to close in, 59-63, with three minutes left in the third period.
TNT kept in step with the Bolts until the final buzzer, but just could not get over the hump.
“Finally nice to get a win. We haven’t beaten this team in a long time. You have to credit the guys for sticking together,” said Meralco coach Luigi Trillo.
Pogoy tried to will his team but just did not have the support he needed for TNT to pull through.
He wound up with 28 big points he topped with three rebounds and three assists.
Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser scored 14 points and Rey Nambatac added 13.
Meralco vs. TNT Scores:
Meralco 97 – Banchero 18, Cansino 18, Newsome 17, Quinto 13, Almazan 11, Hodge 9, Bates 4, Rios 3, Jose 3, Maliksi 2, Black 0, Caram 0
TNT 89 – Pogoy 28, Ganuelas-Rosser 14, Nambatac 13, Williams 11, Khobuntin 6, Erram 6, Oftana 6, Jalalon 3, Jalalon 3, Galinato 2, Enciso 0, Aurin 0, Heading 0
Quarterscores: 21-15, 47-38, 70-63, 97-89
—
Like most sportswriters, Jan Ballesteros once dreamed of becoming a professional hooper. But he learned the hard way that it’s not for everyone.
He continues to be involved in the sport he loves, but this time as a member of the PBA Press Corps. Aside from primarily covering the PBA, he is also assigned to cover Gilas Pilipinas.