Justin Chua went to Upper Deck earlier than Phoenix Super LPG’s 10:00 AM calltime on Thursday morning to do some early workouts.
However, he was pulled to the side by Fuel Masters team manager Paolo Bugia. And his fellow Ateneo product delivered the words that he heard a lot during his nine-year career.
“Justin, na-trade ka to NLEX.”
Having played for Globalport, San Miguel, Barako Bull, Meralco, and TNT prior to his stint in Phoenix, Chua has already accepted that it’s part of the business.
But of course, he was saddened to leave the team that he has called his home for the last five years.
“Mixed emotions ako.
“I told them nga kanina, siyempre malungkot ako and I’ve built a family with them,” Chua shared to Tiebreaker Times. “It’s the longest I’ve stayed in one team and it was also the longest time I was really part of the team.
“You know what I mean? Being part of the core of a team. So nakakalungkot din kasi siyempre, nawawatakwatak na kami. Mahirap din yung pabago-bago ng team. That was the first part.”
Expectations were high on Phoenix Super LPG after their campaign in the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup.
Making it to the semifinals, many expected the Fuel Masters to contend in the All-Filipino tilt of 2021.
However, the team traded Calvin Abueva to Magnolia for Chris Banchero. They were also able to get Vic Manuel in a trade with Alaska, later on.
The new Phoenix mix did not blend well, ending their outside of the top eight after a playoff with Ginebra.
Phoenix would then ship Manuel to Northport for Sean Anthony, Sean Manganti, and a 2021 second round draft pick. Anthony has yet to play a game with Phoenix.
Phoenix would then lose Banchero to free agency.
“Secondly, na-sad din ako kasi hindi namin natapos yung nasimulan namin. After the first bubble, we thought na we are going to go somewhere but parang every conference after that may nangyayari sa team,” he lamented.
“Walang continuation which was sad. I was expecting a lot.”
Chua though also saw a dip in his performance from the 2020 bubble conference.
After norming 11.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks in 2020, his numbers dipped in the 2021 Philippine Cup. In the ongoing Governors’ Cup, he is just norming 5.3 points and 2.5 rebounds in eight games.
Photo by PBA Images
“Covid also played a part but those are all excuses kaya medyo half and half ako,” he admitted. “But on the other side also, being a professional — lalo na ako na I’ve been traded a lot of times na, I know that it’s part of the job na it’s never permanent lalo na paghindi nag-susucceed yung team or hindi maganda yung nilalaro mo.”
Now with NLEX, Chua is hoping that this will be the shot in the arm he needs.
Maybe, the change of scenery will help him get back to his 2020 form.
“I’m happy that I’m going to NLEX. It’s a great team and I think I can fit there also. Sana makatulong ako sa team nila because they are doing really well. Ayoko naman na ako pa yung jinx — na saktong pagdating ko, sa kin pa magtatalo. It’s really mixed emotions,” he said.
“Personally talaga, dun ako lumabas and that’s where I got my recognition. Everything was surreal to me. Personally, I wasn’t able to continue my fine play. Sana with this fresh start, I can be like I was before or be better,” he added.
“Sometimes, fresh starts could really help. Maybe a change of scenery will make me better. But I’m really excited.”
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