MANILA – Bacolodnon center Justin Chua and Cebuano Gregory Slaughter will remain with Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings, respectively, heading into the 2021 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup.
The six-foot-seven Chua recently signed a three-year contract extension with the Fuel Masters following his stellar season in the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup that led to his runner-up finish in the Most Improved Player plum.
“We are glad to have Justin back. He has proven himself to be one of the pillars of our team in the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup,” Fuel Masters head coach Michael Robinson said. “Hard work pays off.”
Chua, a former Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles center, said he is also ecstatic with his contract renewal with Phoenix as he looks forward to complete some “unfinished business” with the team.
“I’m thankful sa management and coaches for trusting me with this long contract. Ibig sabihin they value me also,” the former Trinity Christian School center said.
“We have unfinished business pa. Siyempre, I’m ecstatic to be staying in Phoenix. I’m excited to be playing again with my teammates,” said the Bacolod City-native Chua, who averaged 11, 6 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and a league-best 1.6 blocks last year.
Meanwhile, the seven-foot center Slaughter formalized his PBA return after signing a new deal with his former team Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings, according to head coach Tim Cone.
The 32-year-old Slaughter, who was Ginebra’s first overall pick in the 2013 rookie draft, took a sabbatical from the squad after the 2019 season, vowing to improve both as a player and as a person.
Even with the absence of the former University of Visayas and Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles center, the Kings went on to win the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup championship.
“Yes, Greg has signed although I’m not privy to the details. We are happy to have him back. Greg gives us such great versatility and a huge presence in the paint,” Cone said./PN
