CHRIS Banchero shrugged off the health issue nagging him and vowed to be ready to answer the call for Meralco for the rest of the PBA Governors Cup Finals against defending champion Barangay Ginebra.
The Fil-Italian guard was a game-time decision in the series opener on Wednesday, but suited up nonetheless, and provided stability to the Bolts' backcourt on the way to a 104-91 win at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Banchero finished with two points, four rebounds, and six assists in 14 minutes of play despite playing hurt since Meralco's semifinals series against Magnolia.
But the Meralco playmaker said injuries are part and parcel of the games especially during the playoffs where the stakes are truly high.
"It's been a long conference, so everybody has injuries here and there. It's the finals, so it's not much to ask about," said Banchero.
"I'm healthy. I'm good to go."
Coach Norman Black welcomes the return of Banchero in the active roster after missing out the Bolts' do-or-die Game 5 against the Hotshots in the semis last week.
"I'm so happy that he was able to get out there on the basketball," he said of the 33-year-old native of Seattle, Washington, who has not practiced with the Bolts for the past three weeks.
"But just having his presence out there, he's a very good player offensively. He can handle the ball really, really well. Offensively, he's solid. So it gives us a big lift whenever he's on the court."
That's what exactly Banchero has in mind as he plans to play the rest of the title series, which shifts to the Mall of Asia Arena on Friday for Game 2.
"I'm OK. I'm good enough to play. That's all that really mattered," he said. "Like I said, everybody's got bumps and bruises. It's the end of a long conference." (RG) (PBA)