JUSTIN Chua makes his comeback at TNT after being signed by the team ahead of its PBA 50th Season Commissioner's Cup debut on Friday against Rain or Shine.
Chua, who last played for the Tropang 5G in 2023, was reactivated immediately for their maiden game in the conference where it is the defending champion.
Chua confirmed to Spin.ph about signing a one-conference deal with the same franchise where he won his last championship in the league during the 2023 Governors' Cup.
TNT relegated veteran big man and former MVP Kelly Williams to the unrestricted free agent list (with rights to salary) to pave way for Chua's return.
The 36-year-old Chua tried out with the Tropang 5G when they held their training camp at the Inspire Sports Academy in Laguna prior to the midseason conference.
He was coming off a gold medal stint with Gilas Pilipinas during the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand just after being relegated in the UFAWR2S by the Blackwater Bossing.
A first round pick in the 2013 draft by the Purefoods franchise (then carrying the San Mig Coffee brand), Chua will have his third stint with the telecommunication firm after similar stints in 2017 and 2023.
He suffered an ACL injury during Game 1 of the Governors Cup finals between TNT and Barangay Ginebra, but was still part of the Tropang 5G's championship unit.
The 6-foot-6 Chua also had stops with Globaport, San Miguel, Barako Bull, Meralco, Phoenix, and NLEX.
His first championship came with the Beermen in the 2014-15 Philippine Cup.
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