Meralco is not taking any chances going all-Filipino for its second game as it signed a familiar face in Antonio Hester as replacement import for the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Season 50 Governors’ Cup.

The Bolts were forced to play with just their local crew in a sorry 97-98 loss to Phoenix last Wednesday after original reinforcement Jordon Varnado sustained a minor muscle strain during practice.

Hester is expected to arrive on Thursday in time to prepare for Meralco’s game against Rain or Shine on Saturday at the Ynares Center-Antipolo.

The 36-year-old Hester is very familiar with the league, having previously suited up for Terrafirma in the 2021-2022 Governor’s Cup and then returned the following year for Magnolia.

“We got a reserve coming. It was a sudden change, so we wanted someone who’s familiar with our league,” said Meralco team manager Paolo Trillo.

Hester carried the Hotshots to the quarterfinals of the 2022-2023 edition of the same tournament but came up short, ironically, against the Bolts.

Varnado, who played for Meralco in the Basketball Champions League Asia last year, is listed on the injury/reserved list for the meantime.

“I don’t see him (Varnado) in the next three or four games,” Bolts coach Luigi Trillo said.

Meralco is keeping its fingers crossed that Varnado will recover in time to play for the crucial stretch of the season-ending conference.

Hester is expected to deliver the numbers for the Bolts and could stay longer if he can get the job done.