NLEX head coach Yeng Guiao is glad that the team’s search for a top-caliber big man has ended following the acquisition of Justin Chua.
The Road Warriors on Thursday acquired the 2020 Top Bubble D-Fender via trade with Phoenix Super LPG, in exchange for young forward Kris Porter together with their 2022 second-round and 2023 first round picks.
“Nakumpleto namin ‘yung process with Justin,” said the champion mentor after their 109-100 overtime win over Rain or Shine in a 2022 PBA Governors’ Cup encounter Friday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
Guiao disclosed that Chua has actually been one of the ball club’s targets ever since it lost Poy Erram in a complicated three-team trade back in February 2020, where he ultimately landed on the TNT Tropang Giga.
The other options in their list, he said, were Beau Belga and Vic Manuel, which only confirmed persistent rumors that spread last year.
“Actually, matagal ng project namin. I guess it’s public knowledge before, nung nawala si Poy sa’min, naghahanap na talaga kami ng pamalit e. Andun sa mga options namin, tatlong players ‘yan — si Beau, si Vic Manuel, and si Justin.”
Belga being targeted by Guiao was no longer a surprise since the two have known each other so well. They won two championships with the Elasto Painters, which to this day are the only titles won by the franchise.
Manuel, on the other hand, included NLEX on his wish list of destinations when he requested Alaska for a trade back in January of last year.
But then again, the Road Warriors weren’t able to score one of them. Firstly, Manuel saw his wish granted following a trade to the Fuel Masters. Phoenix then sent him to NorthPort last November before finally going to San Miguel.
Belga, meanwhile, stayed with Rain or Shine and eventually inked a fresh two-year contract just weeks before the ongoing conference.
“Dinaanan namin mga options na ‘yun. We were interested in Vic Manuel, we were interested in Beau. Pero nakapirma na ‘yung mga ‘yun,” Guiao said.
Thus, the sense of accomplishment on the team’s part was that it was able to get one of their choices in the 6-foot-6 big man out of Ateneo.
“It’s nothing new, it’s public knowledge that we were trying to find somebody who can step into the shoes of Poy … Now nandiyan na si Justin,” Guiao said.
Chua joined his new team for Friday’s game but was in street clothes, as he has yet to practice with the Road Warriors. But he will be in action in their final elimination game against defending champs Ginebra next Friday.
“Justin Chua will play in our next game,” assured Guiao.
“That’s next Friday. He will start practicing on Monday.”
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