PHOENIX Super LPG is still entertaining hopes that Chris Banchero would ultimately opt to stay with the team.
Phoenix coach Topex Robinson admitted this yesterday, saying he is now preparing his team for the possibilities of playing with or without their top player in the PBA Governors Cup set to resume next Friday.
“As a team we need to prepare two scenarios: Playing with CB (Banchero to friends) or without him,” Robinson told Malaya-Business Insight.
“So that’s where we are exactly at right now, ‘yung eventuality na he might not go back but at the same time clinging to the hope na hangga’t hindi pa siya nag-a-announce we still have something.”
Immediately after his contract expired last Monday, Banchero declined to sign the new pact offered him last December by Phoenix and decided to become an unrestricted free agent, a privilege accorded him and others belonging to the 2014 draft who have played at least seven years in the league.
PBA teams previously held the rights of first refusal on all players with expired contracts, unless relinquished, and John Pinto, Rodney Brondial and Matt Ganuelas-Rosser availed of the new rule by hooking up with new teams.
Robinson said he understands where Banchero is coming from. “He wanted to test the waters, sa (free agent) market, kung ano meron,” offered the coach, an assessment bolstered by his recent talk with the player.
“When we last spoke, he said he just wanted to make sure na wala siyang regrets. Kasi kung pumirma siya noon bago siya mag-expire, tapos biglang may magsasabi sa kanyang: ‘Gusto ka namin.’ Ayaw niyang umabot sa ganoon.
“We respect his decision… nasa kanya na ngayon ang decision. But management has been working with him since the end of the year pa. So it’s just obviously his decision, to test the free agency market.”
For now, Robinson and the rest of the Fuel Masters have to make do without Banchero, who begged off from their scrimmages allowed by the league starting yesterday.
“It’s our first day today,” noted Robinson. “Kahit sabihin mong we’re preparing, mahirap pa rin ‘yung walang clarity. And he plays a major role in the team. Not only his numbers. It’s also about the energy he brings, lalo na defensively.”
The clarification Robinson and the rest of Phoenix wants from Banchero may come soon.
“Ina-assure naman niya sa amin that he’s not going to keep us waiting,” Robinson said.
“It’s either he stays or he leaves. He’s not gonna prolong the wait for everybody, which is the only consolation sa amin—for now.”
