Justin Chua back with TNT after trade with NLEX, Phoenix

Justin Chua is back with TNT. PBA Images (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA—Justin Chua found himself back with TNT after NLEX traded him there in a three-team swap with Phoenix that was approved by the PBA trade committee on Wednesday.

Chua and Paul Varilla were sent to the Tropang Giga, while the Road Warriors got Jake Pascual and Sean Anthony from the Fuel Masters in exchange.

Phoenix, on the other hand, acquired JJay Alejandro and Raul Soyud from TNT as well as one of NLEX's second-round picks for the upcoming draft, the one that would end up as the earliest to be selected.

The Tropang Giga gave up their own future second-rounder, the one they have for the Season 52 Draft, to the Fuel Masters too to sweeten the pot.

Chua briefly played for TNT in the 2017-18 season before his career blossomed when he was traded to Phoenix.

He was later named the team captain for NLEX when he was traded there, but when Frankie Lim took over the head coaching chores, his minutes dwindled significantly.

Lim, meanwhile, will find himself reuniting with Pascual, one of his former key players at San Beda, at the Road Warriors' camp.

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