IN an effort to turn the tide, Meralco has replaced Marvin Jones and brought in American-Egyptian big man Patrick Gardner as the Bolts try to force a tie against TNT in their PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup best-of-seven semifinal series in Game 4 on Wednesday when action shifts to the Araneta Coliseum.
The Bolts couldn’t take advantage of injured Bol Bol’s absence last Sunday as they succumbed to an all-Filipino Tropang 5G, 77-75, in Game 3 to trail the series, 1-2.
Game 4 is set at 7:30 p.m.
Game 3 proved to be the 7-foot Jones’ last stint with Meralco, where he scored 22 points and grabbed 15 rebounds.
Gardner is listed at 7 feet, where he is fresh off a stint with the Fukushima Firebonds in the Japan B2 League.
The former G League big man averaged 17.2 points and 7.1 rebounds in 61 Japan B2 League games.
Meralco hopes Gardner could provide the needed inside presence against a TNT side that will be unveiling Chris McCullough, best remembered for leading San Miguel Beer to the 2019 Commissioner’s Cup title.
The 6-10 McCullough is coming in to replace Bol, who sustained a torn left Achilles in the first half of Game 2.
McCullough was at the Mall of Asia Arena and watched TNT eke out the win in Game 3 behind Roger Pogoy’s go-ahead three in the dying seconds.
Meanwhile, Rain or Shine (ROS) tries to forge a series tie as well and avoid falling into a 1-3 hole when it battles Barangay Ginebra at 5:15 p.m.
The Gin Kings took the series lead at 2-1, thanks to their 103-98 win last Sunday.
Scottie Thompson went on to finish with 25 points, seven rebounds and three steals, while leading the Gin Kings’ third-quarter offensive to turn the tables against the Elasto Painters.
The one-time PBA Most Valuable Player went 5-of-8 from downtown, joining hands with Justin Brownlee, who registered a near triple-double output of 25 points, eight rebounds and nine assists.
ROS will have to get a concerted effort from its key players in order to avoid a 1-3 hole. RICHARD DY
