Meralco has made an import change ahead of Game 4 of the PBA 50th Season Commissioner’s Cup semifinals, replacing Marvin Jones with Egyptian national player Patrick Gardner after the Bolts dropped Game 3 to TNT, 77-75, and fell behind in the best-of-seven series, 2-1. The move was confirmed by team manager Paolo Trillo and is subject to the submission of required documents to the PBA Commissioner’s Office, which would clear Gardner to play on Wednesday.
Jones produced 22 points, 15 rebounds, and strong overall minutes in the narrow defeat, but Meralco decided a fresh reinforcement was needed to try to stop TNT’s momentum. The Bolts’ adjustment also comes at a time when TNT is dealing with its own import situation, as the Tropang 5G were left without Bol Bol after the reinforcement suffered an Achilles tear.
Gardner, who stands 7 feet tall, brings professional experience from the G League and overseas. After going undrafted in the 2023 NBA Rookie Draft, he suited up for the Long Island Nets and Osceola Magic before most recently playing for Fukushima Firebonds in Japan’s B.League. If cleared in time, Wednesday’s game will mark his PBA debut and set up a new import matchup against TNT’s Chris McCullough, a former San Miguel champion who has been brought in as a replacement for the injured Bol.
The semifinals have tightened into a battle of adjustments, injuries, and timely substitutions as both teams try to stay alive in the race for a finals berth. For Meralco, the Gardner move signals urgency after back-to-back pressure games against TNT. For TNT, McCullough’s arrival gives the team a proven PBA hand as it looks to protect its series lead and capitalize on Meralco’s need to integrate a new import quickly.
With the series hanging in the balance, Game 4 is shaping up as a pivotal test for both sides, especially if Gardner is officially cleared to play and immediately asked to deliver in a high-stakes matchup.
