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| Justin Chua's solid SEA Games performance earned him a return to the PBA. POC Media Pool (file photo) |
QUEZON CITY--Justin Chua finally gets what is due him after helping Gilas Pilipinas secure the gold in the Southeast Asian Games.
The 36-year-old veteran big man is finally back in the PBA as he rejoins TNT ahead of its much-anticipated Commissioner's Cup debut on Friday night.
The league announced that the six-foot-six center, who once led in blocks during the 2020 bubble season, has been activated as the Tropang 5G begin their title defense of the mid-season conference against the Rain Or Shine Elasto Painters at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
To make room for Chua, Kelly Williams was relegated to the unrestricted free agent list.
Chua returned to active basketball play only last December, when Norman Black, his former head coach at Ateneo, tapped him to join Gilas for its SEA Games title defense.
Chua last played for Blackwater during last season's Philippine Cup but never got to play in the import-spiced conferences.
Chua's PBA return also marks his third tour of duty with TNT, having played with the club in 2017 and 2023.
He was with the team when it went to the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba City for its training camp ahead of the PBA Commissioner's Cup.
It remains to be seen how Chua will crack the rotation, especially since Bol Bol will now lead the team's front line.
