It was around four o’clock in the afternoon of Saturday and Justin Chua’s phone rang as he received a call.
TNT KaTropa team manager Gabby Cui was reaching out to him. The Phoenix Pulse Fuel Masters slotman then immediately thought that he was about to get traded again.
“Well, kahapon mga around four, I got a phone call from boss Gabby. Nagulat ako, ba’t kaya tumatawag?” shared the incoming seven-year pro while grinning.
“Akala ko na-trade na naman ako.”
But his concern turned into excitement. Cui is also Gilas Pilipinas’ team manager, so he was inviting Chua to join the Nationals’ practice the next day and be part of its’ FIBA Asia Cup 2021 Qualifiers’ pool.
This, after three players have begged off from the roster earlier this week — Christian Standhardinger and Mac Belo cited knee issues, while Japeth Aguilar asked time off to spend his honeymoon.
“So pagsagot ko, ‘yun, he invited me to come over and practice and be part of the pool,” said the 30-year-old.
“I was really excited kasi tagal ko na pangarap maglaro talaga for Gilas eh!”
Chua attended the session — the Filipino dribblers’ third since Thursday — held at the Meralco Gym in Pasig. He admitted he’d felt a tad shy as he made his way into the facility since he’s a first-timer.
“Pagpasok ko siyempre nahihiya ako kasi ako yung bago eh. Nag-start na ata sila — pangatlong practice na nila.”
But thanks to the presence of his fellow Ateneo Blue Eagles such as his fellow PBA cagers Kiefer Ravena and Poy Erram, things went smoothly for Chua. He ended up feeling right at home.
“Yun yung nag-feel at home ako kasi si andun si Poy, andun si Kiefer, sina Matt [Nieto], sina Thirdy [Ravena], sina coach Sandy [Arespacochaga], so medyo hindi ako nag-transition masyado,” he said.
Chua had himself a good first day of practice with the national team, and one of those glad to see him was none other than head coach Mark Dickel for heeding to the call right away.
“Thankfully he heeded the call and came when we asked him. It was great to have him here today,” he said.
“Originally we had a pool which he wasn’t part of. But because of people pulling out due to sickness, injury whatever, he was kind enough to come today and help.”
It is not yet clear whether Chua’s inclusion to the pool will pose complications with FIBA or not, though.
“That’s a managerial issue. I just know that when we had Japeth and Christian pull out and Ping with injury, we need bigger bodies,” said Gilas program director Tab Baldwin.
“The guys that we like are the guys that have a lot of energy, a lot of toughness. Justin certainly fits that. We’ll see. As far as I know, he’s going to be in the pool. But it’s not confirmed to me yet.”
Regardless, Chua expressed that it really is an honor for his part to be working with the national team.
“I’m really happy to help lang. Kasi for me, it’s another experience so I’ll just learn from what they’re teaching. Kasi, siyempre, veteran coaches ‘yung nandito.”
