MANILA – Bacolodnon big man Justin Chua of the Phoenix Fuel Masters in the Philippine Basketball Association has been tapped to replace Japeth Aguilar in the Gilas Pilipinas pool for the FIBA (International Basketball Federation) Asia Cup Qualifiers 2021 later this month.
Chua was phoned by Gilas interim coach Mark Dickel to join the roster after Aguilar declined the invitation, as well as Christian Standhardinger and Rey Mark Belo due to undisclosed reasons.
“I was really excited kasi tagal ko na pangarap maglaro talaga for Gilas eh!” Chua said. “Pagpasok ko sa training siyempre nahihiya ako kasi ako yung bago eh, nag-start na ata sila – pangatlong practice na nila.”
“Yun ‘yung nag-feel at home ako kasi si andun si Poy (Erram), andun si Kiefer (Ravena), sina Matt (Nieto), sina Thirdy (Ravena), sina coach Sandy (Arespacochaga), so medyo hindi ako nag-transition masyado,” he added.
“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,” added the former Ateneo Blue Eagles center.
Dickel, for his part, said that he was impressed with the 30-year-old Chua’s showing in his first workout with the team.
“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 and help,” Dickel said.
“Thankfully Justin heeded the call and came when we asked him. It was great to have him here,” he added. “The guys that we like are the guys that have a lot of energy, a lot of toughness. Justin certainly fits that.“
The Philippine National Basketball Team has few days left before the tournament opener against Southeast Asian rivals Thailand at home on Feb. 20. It then faces Indonesia on the road on Feb. 23./PN
