IS there still room for Justin Chua in a crowded TNT frontline?
The 6-foot-6 veteran thinks so after joining the Tropang 5G in their four-day training camp at the Inspire Sports Academy which ended on Saturday as part of the team’s preparation for its defense of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup crown.
Team manager Jojo Lastimosa admitted the 36-year-old unrestricted free agent was seeking a spot in the TNT lineup by trying out with the team.
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“Yes (he’s trying out),” said the PBA legend.
“But there’s no guarantee,” added Lastimosa of Chua’s fate by the end of the training camp.
Chua however, will have to go through the wringer to earn his spot as TNT is currently loaded in the middle with the presence of Poy Erram, Kelly Williams, Henry Galinato, Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, not to mention 7-foot-3 import Bol Bol.
If ever he makes it though, it will mark a third homecoming for the center out of Ateneo after previously suiting up for the telecommunication franchise in 2017 and 2023, respectively.
During his last stint with TNT, Chua even won a championship in the 2023 Governors’ Cup, but was on the injury list when the team clinched the crown against Barangay Ginebra after suffering an ACL injury in Game 1 of the title series.
Shortly after his recovery, Chua was traded to Blackwater as part of the Ganuelas-Rosser trade.
He played two seasons with the Bossing before eventually not re-signing to a new contract when his previous deal expired.
Without a team, Chua was later tapped by coach Norman Black to become part of the Gilas team that retained the basketball gold in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Bangkok, Thailand last year.
Chua was a first round pick of the Purefoods franchise in the 2013 draft, but didn’t play for the team.
Instead, he went on and suited up for teams like Globalport, San Miguel, Barako Bull, Meralco, Phoenix, and NLEX.
It was while with the Fuel Masters where he played the best seasons of his pro career.
In the 2020 season, Chua averaged a career-best 11.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.6 shot blocks to become the Defensive Player of the Year, while he was also named part of the All-Defensive Team in that same year.
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