The Meralco Bolts are bringing in Jordon Varnado as their import for the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup.
If the name rings a bell, it’s because Varnado has already played for the Bolts—but in the Basketball Champions League Asia in 2025. The announcement came through the team’s official social media channels on Monday.
Varnado Is Tried and Tested
Varnado, a 29-year-old Tennessee native, gave a good account of himself in his Meralco stint in Dubai, putting up 19.7 points and 10.0 rebounds across three games. He also helped lead the Bolts to the quarterfinals before bowing to eventual bronze medalists XAC Broncos of Mongolia in a close 83-78 loss.
That means Varnado is already familiar with the inner workings at Meralco, and that familiarity with the coaching staff, the system, and the personnel is precisely the kind of edge the Bolts are banking on in bringing in the explosive American.
Varnado, listed at 6-foot-7, most recently played for Bnei Peinklink Herzliya in Israel, keeping himself sharp internationally before the Governors’ Cup call came. He steps into a Meralco frontline that needs reinforcement if the Bolts are going to finally break through the semifinal ceiling that has defined their season.
Cast of Reinforcements Almost Complete
Varnado’s signing is the latest in what is becoming a fully formed import landscape for the season-ending conference. The Blackwater Bossing have confirmed the arrival of 2024 Indonesian Basketball League (IBL) MVP Kentrell Barkley, who is expected to touch down next week. Phoenix is going with former NBA pro BJ Johnson. The Magnolia Hotshots tabbed KJ Buffen off a strong IBL stint. The San Miguel Beermen landed George King, who previously suited up for the Bossing. The TNT Tropang 5G have opted for Darius Days, while the Phoenix Fuel Masters flew in BJ Johnson. Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, of course, is bringing back Justin Brownlee for another tour od duty.
The Governors’ Cup has not even started, and the import arms race is already well underway. Meralco has gone with experience and familiarity. Whether Varnado can carry the Bolts past the semis and into the Finals for the first time is the question the season-ending conference will answer.
