It took only two games for Chris McCullough to remind everyone that he’s a PBA champion.
In Game 5, CMac torched the Meralco Bolts for 42 big points, with over half coming in the second half—including 12 down the stretch in regulation. Certainly not bad for someone who hadn’t picked up a basketball for 13 days. It isn’t much of a surprise either. After all, McCullough has been there, done that.
“It’s no pressure, just come out and play basketball. I’ve been doing it for 11 years as a pro. I’ve been to the playoffs multiple times, I just came from the playoffs,” McCullough told reporters when asked about facing playoff pressure. “And I know how the PBA playoffs go, so I’m just ready for it…”
He was ready, all right. He was already proving himself back in 2019 as a wide-eyed 24-year-old leading the PBA’s most storied franchise to that season’s Commissioner’s Cup title—a run that culminated in a memorable Finals pitting him against fellow NBA player Terrence Jones and the same franchise he is playing for now.
McCullough Getting Into a Groove at TNT
Speaking of TNT, it’s increasingly looking like McCullough is finding a rhythm playing with the Tropa. Asked about how that adjustment is going, CMac stressed that he’s simply trying to find his place within the TNT ecosystem and that he doesn’t want his teammates changing their game for him.
“Just go out there and do what y’all do. Don’t change anything because of me,” McCullough said. “I’m coming here, y’all incorporate me in what y’all got going on. Just play your game. If you got an open shot, shoot the shot. If not, pass the ball. Let’s get some good offense.”
That’s precisely what happened in Game 5. McCullough ate, but so did the Tropa. Jordan Heading feasted with a conference-high 22 points, RR Pogoy fired 22, and Calvin Oftana chipped in 12. It proved too much for Meralco.
Now, the Tropa are looking for a repeat performance in Game 6 later today.
Chris McCullough will try to lead the way again.
