TNT is looking at bringing in another high-profile import in former NBA first-rounder Marquese Chriss after the injury to Bol Bol.
Team manager Jojo Lastimosa said Chriss, the No. 8 pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, is being eyed by Tropang 5G with Bol expected to be out for the rest of the conference due to a suspected partial Achilles tear on his left foot.
READ TNT medical staff fears Bol Bol has suffered partial Achilles tear
As a contingency, however, Lastimosa said they are also looking at former NBA player Darius Days, who is originally being eyed as their import for this season's PBA Governors' Cup but could be flown in much earlier as a replacement to Bol.
Days was previously a standby import for TNT in the Season 49 Governors' Cup before being replaced prior to the start of the conference by Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.
“I'm already talking to two agents right now, and I have two imports waiting confirmation lang from the agent,” said Lastimosa.
“The first option namin is a bigger guy and the second option is actually are standby import for the third conference, si Darius Days,” said Lastimosa.
“But the guy we are looking at, if he is available, is si Marquese Chriss. He is the first guy we are looking at,” he added.
Whoever is available will have to fly immediately to Manila for TNT's semifinal series against Meralco, with Game 3 set on Sunday. Lastimosa said Chriss is in the US West Coast, while Days is in Florida, and whoever will arrive first will likely be the import on Sunday.
“Magpupuyat ako, I'm going to wait for the agent to call, and then the moment they are ready to fly, lilipad na kaagad yun. Maybe darating dito Sunday morning,” said Lastimosa.
Lastimosa said they are seriously considering Chriss.
Listed at 6-foot-9, Chriss was drafted No. 8 by the Phoenix Suns after a college career at Washington, and made the NBA All-Rookie Second Team. After two seasons with the Suns, Chriss became a journeyman in the NBA and played for the Houston Rockets, Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors, and Dallas Mavericks.
In 2024, Chriss played in the G League with the Wisconsin Herd, before moving to China where he suited up for the Shandong Hi-Speed Kirin in the recently-concluded CBA season.
“If we need to win the championship, I think we can survive this semifinals with Days. But if we go to the finals, I don't think we will be able to win with him. I'm not saying that he lacks the ability, but Chriss is the more imposing import who is 6-9, athletic guy. We have a better chance,” Chriss said.
Days also have NBA credentials with the 6-foot-7 player signed with the Houston Rockets during the 2022-23 season, while also playing for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers in the G League.
Days recently suited up for San-en NeoPhoenix alongside Kiefer Ravena in the Japan B.League.
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