SMB champ import eyes title run with TNT

MANILA, Philippines — Chris McCullough is relishing the chance to scratch his itch of playing in the PBA again.

McCullough, who’s returning to Asia’s first play-for-pay league after his triumphant stint with San Miguel Beer in the 2019 Commissioner’s Cup, is joining TNT, the same team he helped the Beermen defeat back then.

“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 nail-biter over full-powered Meralco Sunday at the MOA Arena.

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

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 tried to bring in 6-foot-11 Malick Diouf for the third-game tiebreaker but the Gilas Pilipinas 3x3 naturalized player couldn’t get clearance on time. Diouf also sat at ringside in Game 3.

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

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