Terrafirma suffered a major blow to start the PBA Season 49 Governors' Cup after import Brandon Edwards sustained a torn ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) during the Dyip's practice game on Tuesday versus the Meralco Bolts.

"Our import suffered a mild ACL yesterday (Tuesday) in our tuneup game against Meralco. Something snapped in his knee after falling by his lonesome," Terrafirma coach John Cardel told the Manila Times, confirming the 33-year-old Edwards' knee injury.

Cardel felt bad for the incident, noting that the 6-foot-6 American forward out of University of Texas at Arlington has already acclimatized himself with the team's system.

"I felt bad for him. Brandon was such a great fit, has a great attitude, rebounds and plays well defensively," he added.

Antonio Hester PBA IMAGE

The good news is, hulking American Antonio Hester is making a PBA comeback to take the spot of Edwards.

Cardel said he was able to talk to the power-playing Hester, who is expected to arrive this coming weekend.

"I was able to talk to Antonio Hester. He's ready to fly out of the U.S. and hopefully, he'll arrive either Saturday or Sunday," Cardel said.

Hester is fresh off a stint with Prawira Bandung in the Indonesia Basketball League where he averaged 15.3 points, 10.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists in 25 games.

Hester played for Terrafirma three years ago during the Governors' Cup where he averaged 28.10 points and 12.60 rebounds.

The American forward returned the following season to play for the Magnolia Hotshots, replacing Eric McCree where he went on to norm 27.88 points and 15.75 rebounds in eight games.

Terrafirma will be making its season debut on August 21 against Converge.

The PBA Season 49 begins this Sunday with Meralco and Magnolia playing in the lone game on opening day.