Photo credit: PBA

Defending champion TNT Tropang 5G wasted no time searching for a replacement after import Bol Bol suffered an injury scare that could derail the team’s campaign in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals.

With less than 48 hours before Game 3 of TNT’s best-of-seven semis showdown against Meralco Bolts at the Mall of Asia Arena, team management immediately began contacting possible reinforcements to keep the Tropang 5G’s title-retention hopes alive.

Team manager Jojo Lastimosa revealed that former NBA players Marquese Chriss and Darius Days are the leading candidates to replace Bol, who is reportedly out for the rest of the conference after suffering a partial Achilles tear during TNT’s Game 2 loss on Friday night.

According to Lastimosa, TNT is leaning toward Chriss because of his size and versatility. The 28-year-old, who stands 6-foot-9, was the eighth overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft and previously played for Phoenix, Houston, Cleveland, Golden State, and Dallas. He recently suited up in the Chinese Basketball Association.

“He’s the first guy we’re looking at,” Lastimosa told reporters after TNT absorbed an 87-76 defeat against Meralco.

Days, meanwhile, is a 26-year-old forward who stands 6-foot-6 and previously had a stint with Houston. He was also considered TNT’s standby import for the Governors’ Cup while waiting for resident reinforcement Rondae Hollis-Jefferson to recover from injury.

Lastimosa said both players have already been contacted through their agents, and TNT is now waiting for confirmation on who can immediately travel to the Philippines.

The team official added that whoever arrives first could end up suiting up for TNT in the crucial Game 3 matchup as the Tropang 5G try to recover from the loss of Bol in the middle of the semifinals series.