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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider Meralco taps stand-in Antonio Hester for injured import Jordon Varnado

Meralco taps stand-in Antonio Hester for injured import Jordon Varnado

Published Jul 15, 2026 10:53 pm

At A Glance

  • Meralco is tapping former Terrafirma import Antonio Hester as a stand-in for injured reinforcement Jordon Varnado.
Meralco is tapping former Terrafirma import Antonio Hester as a stand-in for injured reinforcement Jordon Varnado.
Bolts team manager Paolo Trillo confirmed the development after the Bolts absorbed a 97-98 loss to Phoenix in its first game.
Varnado, who first played for Meralco during the Basketball Champions League Asia last season, was in uniform at the bench but did not see action due to a hamstring injury he sustained in practice.
The injury prompted the Bolts management to find a stand-in while relegating Varnado to the reserve list while recovering from the injury.
"We got a reserve coming in, si Antonio Hester. Kasi mabilisan lang, so we wanted someone who's familiar with our league. He was available naman. He's arriving tomorrow," said Trillo.
It would be Hester’s fourth tour of duty in the PBA, having played for the Dyip franchise twice before also suiting up for the Magnolia.
Even with Hester in tow, Trillo said Meralco’s import choice remains Varnado although the team is taking his injury day-by-day.
“Those types of injury, you never know. And if we forced playing him, it could get worse, And that would be more long term," Trillo said.
"So we're trying to manage his injury now.”

Related Tags

Antonio Hester PBA Meralco Bolts Jordon Varnado
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