Let’s sit down and talk about the Best Import award for the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
The league recently released its official list of candidates for the top reinforcement honor, and one very big, very recognizable name was noticeably absent: former NBA player Bol Bol. (The official report lists him as Manute Bol, named after his legendary late father, but basketball fans worldwide know the 7-foot-3 Phenom as Bol Bol).
Bol was an absolute force for the TNT Tropang 5G, leading them to the semifinals and completely routing NLEX in the quarterfinals. But when the ballot came out, the names listed were Justin Brownlee of Barangay Ginebra, Jaylen Johnson of Rain or Shine, Patrick Gardner of Meralco, and Chris McCullough—the very man who replaced Bol at TNT.
A lot of fans are upset about it. They look at what Bol did on the court and feel he got a raw deal. But let’s look at this with a little bit of perspective.
The PBA has a very specific, long-standing structural rule when it comes to this award: imports whose teams make it to the semifinals are automatically qualified, *provided* they are still playing until the end of their mother club’s campaign.
Bol tragically suffered a full tear on his Achilles tendon during Game 2 of the semifinals against the Meralco Bolts. It was a heartbreaking moment for a guy who was dominating the league. Because of that injury, TNT had to bring in McCullough to finish the tournament.
Now, some folks think the league should have bent the rules because of the injury. I don't agree. If a rule is clearly written in the book, the PBA shouldn't start making exceptions, even for a high-profile former NBA player. Once you make an exception for one guy, you open up a whole box of complications for the future. You have to respect the guidelines that protect the integrity of the award.
The other thing to remember is that statistical production is not the only basis for being named the Best Import. It never has been. Winning is a massive piece of the puzzle, too.
To win the ultimate individual award, you have to be there to carry your team across the finish line of the conference. It’s about availability and endurance just as much as it’s about points and blocks.
And let’s give some credit to the local crew over at TNT. After Bol went down, the Tropang 5G didn't just fold up their tents. They actually managed to win a game in that grueling semifinal series without Bol Bol—and without *any* import on the floor at all. They relied on their local heart and execution to get it done. That tells you that as great as Bol was, the team’s identity and success belonged to the whole group.
It’s incredibly unfortunate that an injury cut Bol's spectacular run short. He gave PBA fans something truly special to watch. But Chris McCullough stepped in, took the baton, and finished the race. The league made the right call by sticking to its book. Bol Bol doesn't need a trophy to prove he was a dominant force, but the rules are there for a reason.
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