PBA: TNT taps Malick Diouf as import after Bol Bol injury

Malick Diouf has replaced the injured Bol Bol as TNT Tropang 5G import for Game 3 in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals against Meralco.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines–TNT has turned to recently naturalized Malick Diouf as its import for Game 3 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinal series against Meralco.

Team manager Jojo Lastimosa confirmed tapping Diouf for Sunday’s contest at Mall of Asia Arena after the Tropang 5G lost Bol Bol for the conference with a partial tear on his Achilles.

READ: PBA: TNT eyes Marquese Chriss or Darius Days to replace Bol Bol

The 6-foot-11 is likely to be a temporary fill as TNT is actively searching for a permanent replacement for Bol as it continues its title push in the midseason conference.

Lastimosa earlier said that the team was eyeing former NBA player Marquese Chriss and Darius Days.

Bol went down during the first quarter of Game 2, which ended with Meralco taking an 87-76 win to tie the best-of-seven at 1-1.

Diouf is set to make history as the first import with experience playing in the PBA D-League and UAAP.

READ: PBA: Meralco ties semis series as TNT loses Bol Bol to injury

He first suited up for Centro Escolar University in the D-League before being recruited by University of the Philippines as a foreign student athlete.

In 2022, Diouf helped UP win the UAAP Season 84 title and was named Most Valuable Player of Season 85.

His impending TNT gig came a few days after Diouf was granted Filipino citizenship when his naturalization process, along with Elizabeth Means, lapsed into law.

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas plans to have Diouf and Means as naturalized players for the Gilas Pilipinas 3×3 program.