Returning McCullough replaces injured Bol in TNT Tropang 5G

Ginebra, TNT gun for commanding 3-1 series lead

Games on Wednesday
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
5:15 p.m. – Rain or Shine vs Ginebra (Semis Game 4)*
7:30 p.m. – TNT vs Meralco (Semis Game 4)*
*Ginebra and TNT lead series, 2-1

CHRIS MCCULLOUGH is relishing the chance to scratch his itch of playing in the PBA again.

Mr. McCullough, who’s been aching to return to Asia’s first play-for-pay league since his triumphant stint with San Miguel Beermen (SMB) in the 2019 Commissioner’s Cup, is joining TNT, the very team he helped the Beermen defeat back then, this time around.

“It’s crazy, yeah. Now I’m playing with them (TNT),” said the 6-foot-9 American, who watched with keen interest a couple of rows behind the TNT bench as all-Filipino Tropang 5G willed themselves to a 77-75 Game 3 nailbiter over full-powered Meralco on Sunday at the SM MOA Arena.

“They welcomed me in the locker room, welcomed me here, so it should be good. Ready to play.”

Mr. McCullough’s availability came at a perfect time as the defending champions were scrambling to find a replacement import after Bol Bol went down with an Achilles injury last Friday.

TNT actually tried to bring in 6-foot-11 Malick Diouf for the third-game tiebreaker but the Gilas Pilipinas 3×3 naturalized player couldn’t get clearance on time. Mr. Diouf also sat at ringside in Game 3.

After initial prospects Marquese Chriss and Darius Days as well as Mr. Diouf, Mr. McCullough entered the mix upon the suggestion of TNT’s resident import, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.

“He (Mr. McCullough) just finished his stint in Taiwan (Taoyuan Taiwan Beer Leopards). So perfect he was about to leave for the States this Monday. We talk and it was quick. And he’s okay with the situation,” team manager Jojo Lastimosa said.

Mr. McCullough said he’s ready to play his part in filling in for the fancied Mr. Bol and helping bring TNT to the finish line.

“I think when I step on the court on Wednesday (Game 4), it’ll hit me a little differently,” said Mr. McCullough, looking to duplicate what he achieved with SMB when he came in as replacement for Charles Rhodes in the 2019 edition.

“But I’m just still happy to be here. Just ready to get out there, play, take it one game at a time, and that’s about it.”

TNT coach Chot Reyes said both Messrs. Diouf and McCullough would train with TNT.

“We still want to see both of them because we want to see who will fit us better,” he said.

“But I think the most important thing is the assimilation with the guys. We will take a look at what our options are. We might even be looking beyond the two guys we have here already. But that’s a work in progress.” — Olmin Leyba