It’s a matter of who comes first for TNT as the traditional contenders have identified possible replacements for Bol Bol now that he’s ruled out for the rest of the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup due to an Achilles injury.
Team manager Jojo Lastimosa disclosed that they have already agreed in principle with ex-NBA pro Marquese Chriss and Darius Days after the Tropang 5G were compelled to search for someone to fill in for the 7-foot-3 big man.
Both players are still in the United States, with the cage legend-turned-executive still waiting for confirmation on whether they will be able to fly out soon and possibly suit up for Game 3 of their semifinal series against Meralco on Sunday.
“Who can fly in right away,” Lastimosa told reporters moments after their 87-76 defeat in Game 2 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay, where Bol got hurt.
Days had joined TNT for the 2024 Governors’ Cup as a standby import for Rondae Hollis-Jefferson. He will be serving the same purpose for the same conference that starts in July, with the latter still recovering from an Achilles tear.
Days last played for the San-En NeoPhoenix in the B.League.
(C) PBA Images
“He was our import last conference when Rondae wasn’t available yet,” said Lastimosa as ‘RHJ’ was then contemplating offers from other countries.
“He came in preseason and ngayon, we actually tapped him for the third conference to stand in for Rondae before he’s ready from his injury.”
His familiarity with TNT shall be an advantage, but Lastimosa admitted that their sights are set on Chriss, who began his NBA career in 2016 and has played for Phoenix, Houston, Cleveland, Golden State, and Dallas.
Listed at 6-foot-9, the former eighth overall pick by the Suns is coming off a stint with the Shandong Hi-Speed Kirin of the Chinese Basketball Association.
“I think we can survive the semifinals with Days. But if we go to the Finals, I don’t think we’d be able to win with him. I’m not saying that he lacks the ability, but Chriss is a more imposing import,” he explained.
“He’s six-nine, athletic guy, has good experience, a first-round draft pick; I think we have a better chance if we go to the Finals to win the whole thing.”
(C) Mags Reyes/EASL
Also considered is naturalized center Ange Kouame, given his ties with the MVP Group, sources said, but the targets are really either Chriss or Days.
Bol, for his part, is expected to hit the road to recovery as soon as possible, based on the initial findings of Lastimosa and the Tropang 5G medical staff.
“We have an ultrasound na portable and sinalat ko ‘yung Achilles niya, walang tension. Lubog talaga siya,” he lamented.
“Medyo na-confirm ‘yung hinala namin. I think it’s a partial tear, but it’s an Achilles problem,” he added.
“We’ll see after the MRI.”
