The PBA playoffs are defined by adversity, but what the TNT Tropang Giga achieved in Game 3 of the Commissioner’s Cup semifinals bordered on the miraculous. Stripped of their 7-foot-3 centerpiece, Bol Manute Bol, due to a suspected Achilles tear, TNT walked onto the floor facing a massive structural disadvantage against the Meralco Bolts.
They walked off the floor with a 77-75 victory and a 2-1 series lead.
That Game 3 performance was nothing short of a masterpiece of local depth and tactical resilience. To overcome an import-reinforced Meralco squad using an All-Filipino roster requires an elite level of defensive rotation, sheer willpower, and shot-making. It served as a powerful reminder to the rest of the league: TNT’s local core is a legitimate powerhouse, perfectly capable of executing under extreme duress.
But surviving one game on adrenaline and local firepower is very different from winning a championship. The Tropang Giga urgently need a reinforcement, and head coach Chot Reyes is currently navigating one of the most critical mid-series decisions in recent franchise history.
With Bol Bol officially out of the picture, TNT’s front office scrambled and managed to bring two distinct options into the fold: former UP standout Malick Diouf and proven PBA champion Chris McCullough.
Coach Chot Reyes has been completely transparent about the evaluation process, noting that the team is meticulously assessing who fits the system better.
The Case for Diouf: He brings youth, fresh legs, and immediate familiarity with the Philippine climate. However, the glaring red flag is his lack of recent mileage. Diouf has not seen action in competitive play since October of last year, making a sudden leap into the crucible of a PBA semifinal a massive risk.
The Case for McCullough: McCullough touched down in Manila on Sunday just in time to watch his potential teammates pull off their Game 3 heist. As a former PBA champion, he brings an established pedigree, elite scoring capability, and veteran poise.
Coach Reyes highlighted the specific advantages McCullough brings to the table regarding intangibles: "When a new import comes in, there’s a lot of adjustments–adjustments to the time, the weather, the culture, the kind of game, and then adjustments with his teammates... with McCullough, at least those variables, we’ve taken out already." Reyes also jokingly noted that TNT's read-and-react, "bara-bara" style is easy to grasp for any player with a high basketball IQ, which clearly favors a seasoned professional like McCullough.
While TNT is reportedly still keeping their lines open for other potential candidates, the immediate choice staring them in the face should be obvious. Chris McCullough is the right decision.
When you are already deep in a grueling playoff war, you do not have the luxury of waiting for an import to shake off months of competitive rust. You need someone who can immediately step onto the floor, demand defensive attention, and handle the unique physicality of the PBA. McCullough already knows what it takes to win a title in this league. He understands the refereeing, the defensive schemes, and the intensity required in a closeout game.
There is, of course, a necessary caveat. At 31 years old and coming off a stint in Taiwan, there is no absolute assurance that McCullough is still the terrifying, unstoppable force of nature he was during his previous PBA championship run. Coach Reyes himself admitted that the coaching staff is still uncertain about his current game shape.
But even if McCullough is operating at 85% of his peak, his offensive gravity combined with TNT’s clearly elite local core is a championship-winning formula. Game 3 proved that TNT doesn't need a savior to carry the entire franchise; they just need a reliable, high-IQ weapon to tip the scales. McCullough fits that description perfectly. It is time to hand him the jersey and finish the job.
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