Camille Naredo

Former UP center Malick Diouf and former San Miguel import Chris McCullough. UAAP Media/PBA Media

Article (news)

Paige Javier

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1779631686173THUMB.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Former UP center Malick Diouf and former San Miguel import Chris McCullough. UAAP Media/PBA Media" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Former UP center Malick Diouf and former San Miguel import Chris McCullough. <em>UAAP Media/PBA Media</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA – As <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2026/5/22/pba-bol-bol-feared-to-have-suffered-partial-tear-of-achilles-tendon-2051">former NBA player Bol Bol</a> has been ruled out of the PBA 50 Commissioner&#x27;s Cup, the TNT Tropang 5G is scrambling to find a new import.</p><p>TNT was forced to <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2026/5/24/pba-all-filipino-tnt-battles-meralco-in-game-3-1741">play all-Filipino in Game 3</a> of the PBA 50 Commissioner&#x27;s Cup semifinals against the Meralco Bolts, even though they have two options waiting in the wings ready to suit up. </p><p>Former UAAP champion Malick Diouf was earlier announced as the possible new reinforcement for the injured Bol, and he watched Game 3 on Sunday behind the TNT bench. </p><p>During the third quarter, former San Miguel Beermen import Chris McCullough arrived straight from the airport and sat alongside TNT team manager Jojo Lastimosa. </p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2026/5/24/pba-tnt-taps-malick-diouf-as-import-for-game-3-vs-meralco-1321">READ: TNT taps Malick Diouf as import for Game 3 vs. Meralco</a></div><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2026/5/24/pba-chris-mccullough-tapped-as-new-tnt-import-1911">READ: Chris McCullough tapped as new TNT import</a></div><p>When asked who TNT&#x27;s new import will be, head coach Chot Reyes said making a decision is easier said than done.  </p><p>&quot;Yes Malick Diouf was in practice yesterday. We continue to ask him back in practice even if [Chris] McCullough arrives tonight. We still want to see both of them because we want to see who will fit us better,&quot; he said after TNT hacked out a <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2026/5/24/pba-rr-pogoy-the-hero-as-import-less-tnt-prevails-over-meralco-1933">77-75 win over Meralco</a> in Game 3.</p><p>&quot;We&#x27;ll take a look at what our options are. Maybe we might even be still be looking even beyond the two guys who are here already. That&#x27;s a work in progress. There&#x27;s nothing more I can say, we continue to look and it&#x27;s a work in progress,&quot; Reyes said. </p><p>The TNT bench tactician acknowledged McCullough&#x27;s skills and championship caliber, citing his previous stint in the PBA in 2019.  </p><p>McCullough came in as a replacement import and eventually led San Miguel to the 2019 PBA Commissioner&#x27;s Cup.  </p><p>&quot;We all know the caliber of McCullough. Except we&#x27;re not really sure the kind of game shape he&#x27;s been coming off his stint in Taiwan. But at least he&#x27;s been playing,&quot; Reyes said. </p><p>&quot;I think that&#x27;s one thing he will bring is the maturity and the stability to our team. Skills wise, we all know he can, he&#x27;s both inside and outside. But again it remains to be seen what kind of value he will bring to this team,&quot; he added. </p><p>Unlike new imports, Reyes believes McCullough will only have to adapt to the TNT system since he&#x27;s already familiar with the Philippines and the PBA. </p><p>&quot;So with McCullough, at least those variables we&#x27;ve taken out already. Adjustment nalang with his teammates and the way we do things. Pero hindi naman mahirap mag-adjust sa amin,&quot; he explained. </p><p>Diouf, meanwhile, has been in the Philippines for the process of his naturalization bid.  </p><p>The former UAAP champion last played in the Indonesia Basketball League.   </p><p>Both imports can only suit up for TNT once they secure the necessary documents, including permits from the Bureau of Immigration (BIR) and license from the Games and Amusements Board (GAB).  </p><p>The Tropang 5G aim to field a new import in Game 4 against the Meralco Bolts to extend their lead in the semis series.  </p><p>TNT and Meralco will meet again on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.  </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="960" height="540" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nNpSlEY2gT0?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>As former NBA player Bol Bol has been ruled out of the PBA 50 Commissioner's Cup, the TNT Tropang 5G is scrambling to find a new import.</p>

As former NBA player Bol Bol has been ruled out of the PBA 50 Commissioner's Cup, the TNT Tropang 5G is scrambling to find a new import.

PBA: Diouf or McCullough? Chot Reyes wants to see who fits TNT better

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PBA: Diouf or McCullough? Chot Reyes wants to see who fits TNT better

Paige Javier,

ABS-CBN News

Published May 24, 2026 10:11 PM PHT

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basketball

PBA

PBA Season 50

PBA Commissioner's Cup

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Chris McCullough

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