Chris McCullough says call from RHJ made PBA return with TNT happen

Chris McCullough is expected to make his TNT debut in Game 4 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals against Meralco.–CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–TNT’s replacement import Chris McCullough said he didn’t hesitate to take the offer of filling the void left by the injured Bol Bol after receiving a call from Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.

“Rondae called me and he made it happen. That’s the end of the story,” McCullough said after watching the all-local Tropang 5G crew squeak past the Meralco Bolts, 77-75, for a 2-1 lead in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at Mall of Asia Arena.

McCullough arrived Sunday from Taiwan after TNT burned the lines in search of a new import since Bol went down with a partial tear on his Achilles in Game 2.

READ: Chris McCullough set for PBA return as TNT replacement import

TROPANG NETS

Chris McCullough said Rondae Hollis-Jefferson was a big reason why he accepted the offer to become TNT’s replacement for the injured Bol Bol. McCullough and Hollis-Jefferson used to teammates with the Brooklyn Nets @inquirersports pic.twitter.com/qDsFrYFQEx

— Jonas Terrado (@jonasterradoINQ) May 24, 2026

Turns out, according to McCullough, Hollis-Jefferson was among those who helped in the search. The two used to be teammates with the Brooklyn Nets from 2015 to 2017.

The TNT gig will be a long-awaited PBA return for McCullough, who in 2019 helped San Miguel Beer capture the Commissioner’s Cup title.

In the years that followed, McCullough had always expressed on social media his desire to be given another PBA tour of duty, the closest being his stint with Philippine club Strong Group Athletics in the 2024 William Jones Cup in Taiwan.

His TNT debut is set Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum as TNT tries to take a commanding 3-1 lead in the series.

READ: PBA: TNT goes all Filipino in semis Game 3 vs Meralco

“I think when I stepped on the court Wednesday, it [will] hit me a little differently,” said McCullough. “But I’m just still happy to be here. Just ready to get out there and play. Taking it one game at a time. That’s about it.”

He will have big shoes to fill after Bol provided more than just being an inside presence for TNT during its rollercoaster ride to the semis.

“It’s sad to see an injury like that, but hopefully he can get back home and get surgery,” McCullough said. “I just want to help this team win as possible, do what I got to do, just play basketball.”