Antonio Hester in action for Terrafirma against TNT in the 2024 PBA Governors' Cup, September 19, 2024 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. PBA Media/File
MANILA – The Meralco Bolts have called in Antonio Hester to replace injured import Jordon Varnado in the PBA 50 Governors' Cup.
Meralco team manager Paolo Trillo confirmed the development following their 98-97 loss to the Phoenix Fuelmasters on Wednesday.
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"Our import Jordon's dealing with a minor injury. So we got a reserve coming in, si Antonio Hester. We wanted someone, kasi it's mabilisan lang, so we wanted someone who's a bit familiar with our league also. He was available naman," Trillo told reporters.
Trillo said Hester is expected to arrive on Thursday, days ahead of their next game.
Hester is no stranger to the PBA, having previously suited up for the Terrafirma Dyip in the 2021-2022 Governors' Cup and the Magnolia Hotshots in 2023.
The 36-year-old eventually returned to the Dyip during the 2024 PBA Governors' Cup.
The Dyip failed to make the playoffs in both conferences with Hester, while the Hotshots reached the quarterfinals before getting knocked out by the Bolts.
Despite the entry of Hester, the Bolts will still keep Varnado around as he recovers from what Trillo called a "minor injury."
"We're putting him in the reserve first for now. It's a minor injury eh, so I don't know how many days. He's day-to-day. But we need an import," Trillo said.
Meralco remains optimistic Varnado will be able to suit up for the team soon.
"Hopefully. It's not a major injury. It's just a muscle strain. So the doctors already saw it. Of course, those types of injuries, you never know. And if we force playing him, it could get worse. That would be more long-term. We're just trying to manage his injury now," Trillo added.
Varnado last played for Meralco during the Basketball Champions League Asia in Dubai last year, where he was battling a different injury.
The Bolts will next battle the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters on Saturday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.