Banchero clutch as Meralco averts huge collapse against NLEX

Chris Banchero nailed a clutch floater with 2.8 seconds left as Meralco survived a huge fourth quarter from NLEX with a 97-94 victory in the 2023 PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City on Sunday, Dec.3.

The veteran point guard displayed grace under pressure, blowing past the Road Warriors’ defense for the go-ahead basket that saved the Bolts some blushes after squandering a massive 29-point advantage early on.

Banchero only finished with 15 points but took care of the most important basket that also preserved another Herculean effort from import Suleiman Braimoh who dropped 38 points and eight rebounds before exiting the contest in the final four minutes due to an apparent leg injury.

Chris Newsome chipped in 14 points while Bong Quinto added 12 including the game-sealing free throw that notched Meralco’s back-to-back wins for a solo third spot of the standings with a 4-1 slate.

Meralco actually looked to be on its way to an easy victory after establishing a huge 77-48 advantage following a Banchero basket midway through the third frame. NLEX, however, refused to just roll over and die, exploding for 32 points to threaten the Bolts in the waning minutes.

The Road Warriors were still staring at a 20-point deficit, 62-82, heading into the final frame before import Stokley Chaffee Jr. and Don Trollano joined hands for a blistering 12-0 run to cut the lead down to single digits, 79-88.

Timely hits from Braimoh and Newsome tried to keep NLEX in the waning minutes but Chaffe Jr. and Trollano sustained their fiery offense to tie the game, 94-all, following the latter’s booming triple with 22 ticks left in the clock.

That was when Banchero, however, took matters into his own hands and nailed the floater that shoved the lead back to Meralco and slammed the door on NLEX comeback.

Chaffee and Trollano shared the scoring honors for NLEX with 24 apiece although the import, who only played his second game with the Road Warriors, added eight boards.

Trollano also chipped in six assists although he committed a crucial turnover after stepping out of bounds and wasting the chance to tie or even win it all for the Road Warriors in the final possession

Sean Anthony was the only other local player to reach double figures with 11 as NLEX found itself on a two-game slide after sending original choice Thomas Robinson home for a 2-4 record in the standings.