MANILA, Philippines – Being the first player to score from the novel four-point area, Chris Banchero made history and thanked everyone for being a part of this historic PBA moment. However, the Meralco guard played down the shot’s novelty, pointing out that he had been practicing from 27 feet long prior to the league’s decision to use the new rule for the 49th season. Banchero’s experience with long-range shooting and his previous preparation helped him adjust to the new four-point area with ease, which enabled him to make the historic shot with assurance.

That’s a range from which Banchero frequently shoots, so it comes naturally to him. He is aware, too, that efforts from the four-point line shouldn’t be forced just because it gives you an extra point. Rather than emphasizing the appeal of extra points, he recognizes that shooting a shot like that should be based more on the opportunity and the game’s flow than it does on the necessity of making a strategic decision. His strategy strikes a balance between his self-assurance in his shooting ability and the self-control needed to make moves that will help the team win. This viewpoint represents a sophisticated grasp of the game, in which the player’s natural tendency is to rely on his well-honed skill set while being conscious of the optimal scoring opportunities. By doing this, he puts the success of the team above his own goals and makes sure that every shot is made with the team’s best interests in mind rather than just pursuing the possibility of a higher scoring shot.

With 10:25 remaining in the second quarter of Meralco vs. Magnolia, the 2024 Governors’ Cup opener at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, Banchero made history by making the first-ever four-point basket in PBA history.

The Fil-Italian didn’t mean to do it, but he felt like he was in a rhythm at the precise moment he made the decision to go for it.

He now joins the ranks of individuals who have accomplished historic feats in the illustrious history of Asia’s original professional league, like Living Legend Robert Jaworski and guard Joy Dionisio. In 1980, Jaworski became the first player to make a basket in the PBA, while Dionisio became the first player to convert from the three-point line.

Banchero expressed satisfaction with being recognized in the history books, noting that the achievement was only slightly beyond what he had accomplished in the previous conference. For him, the moment wasn’t overly surprising, but it was still meaningful. He felt pleased with his performance and happy to have made his mark, viewing it as a positive milestone in his career, even if it didn’t feel significantly different from past successes.

Banchero highlighted the tremendous influence the four-point shot has had on the game, even after just one match of the new season, in spite of some opponents of the recent judgment. While he left it up to the PBA to determine whether to preserve it, he thought the advent of the four-point shot to be fun and expressed interest in how it would affect the conference. Banchero showed his versatility and brilliance in the changing game by scoring 13 points in Meralco’s 99-94 triumph over Magnolia.

Banchero scored 13 important points to help his club defeat Magnolia 99-94, playing a major part in the hard-fought triumph. With Magnolia down 97-94, the game came to a dramatic conclusion in the last 11 seconds when Magnolia decided to foul in an attempt to cut the lead to 94 points through free throws. Glenn Robinson, Magnolia’s import, attempted a crucial shot in a stressful moment but missed, opening the door for Meralco. After Allen Durham grabbed the rebound, Meralco won with two more free throws. The fact that Durham delivered a clutch performance and Robinson blew a chance highlighted how narrow margins frequently determine the outcome of closely contested games. The team’s poise in the closing seconds and Banchero’s steady scoring were important components in ensuring the victory for Meralco.