ANTIPOLO – In its bid to beef up for the PBA Governors’ Cup, NLEX had three bigs on its wish list – Beau Belga, Vic Manuel, and Justin Chua.
The Road Warriors finally got what they wanted as they were able to secure Chua on Thursday in a trade with Phoenix for Kris Porter and two future draft picks.
NLEX coach Yeng Guiao said the team has been eyeing the three bigs including Chua since losing Poy Erram to sister team TNT in a three-team trade in 2019.
“Actually, matagal ng project namin. I guess it’s public knowledge before,” said Guiao. “Nung nawala si Poy sa amin, naghahanap na talaga kami ng pamalit.”
“Nandoon sa mga options namin, tatlong players. Si Beau, si Vic Manuel, and si Justin. Si Justin na lang ang natira. Nakumpleto namin ‘yung process with Justin.
NLEX pursues options
"It’s nothing new. It’s public knowledge to find somebody who can step into the shoes of Poy. It took a little time but we were patient. Now, nandiyan na si Justin.”
“Dinaanan namin ‘yung mga options na ‘yun. We were interested in Vic Manuel. We were interested in Beau. Pero nakapirma na ‘yung mga ‘yun. So napunta kami kay Justin, who was one of our options,"
Their bid to get the sweet-shooting big man out of Ateneo intensified after failing in their attempts to acquire Belga and Manuel, Guiao added.
Guiao said Chua will begin practicing with NLEX on Monday and will play in its next game against Barangay Ginebra.
Chua gives NLEX an added perimeter threat aside from his 6-foot-6 frame. Prior to the trade, Chua was averaging 5.3 points and 2.5 rebounds per outing.
He had a breakout season in the 2020 bubble where he posted averages of 11.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks, while also shooting 35 percent from threes.
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