JUSTIN CHUA SIGNS WITH TNT

Let me say this: Justin Chua needs to be on a PBA team. Why he wasn’t on a roster prior to his TNT signing baffles me. Also, placing Chua on the active roster in lieu of Kelly Williams makes sense to me.

Look, I know the MVP Group got burned when they placed Jared Dillinger in unrestricted free agency and he ended up signing with Ginebra, but I think Williams understands the situation better than anyone. TNT has done something similar with Jayson Castro, and along with Williams, they also placed JP Erram on their reserved list.

These two aren’t like Brian Heruela or Almond Vosotros. I know those guards had long tenures with the team, but Williams and Erram are integral parts of the roster—especially given TNT’s lack of size. Yes, they have Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, but having stabilizing veterans like Williams and Erram, especially once they return from injury, is crucial for their championship run.

This is Chua’s third stint with TNT, and the last time he was with the squad, he won the 2023 PBA Governors’ Cup. I guess he’s currently there to fill the void. The moment Williams and Erram become healthy, I can see the former Ateneo Blue Eagle either heading back to unrestricted free agency or sliding to the deep end of the bench.

Now, I’m not saying he shouldn’t be let go. While Chua deserves a roster spot, he’s also turning 37 in July. I know the PBA has a tendency to load up on players in their thirties, but it’s tough for a journeyman on the wrong side of 30 to stay in the league for long.

That said, if this ends up being Justin Chua’s final season in the PBA, at least he’ll have the chance to play for a legitimate championship contender. Chua may already have two titles, but he also spent years on teams that weren’t exactly chasing championships.

Again, with Williams and Erram nursing injuries, there was a clear need for TNT to sign someone like Chua—someone who once averaged double digits during his time with the Phoenix Fuel Masters and is fresh off a gold medal at the 2025 SEA Games. The ragtag national squad finished first in the biennial tournament, and Chua had several moments of brilliance, largely because the team lacked true big men.

Most importantly, Chua is the type of player who puts the team first and tends to rise to the occasion when things get tough. Remember, he spent his final years at Ateneo with limited playing time due to the arrival of Greg Slaughter. Instead of sulking, he boosted his draft stock in the PBA D-League, where he helped Blackwater sweep the NLEX Road Warriors. Not only did he help the team win a championship, but Blackwater also became the first non-NLEX squad to capture a PBA D-League title.

Justin Chua is both a winner and a team player. As a temporary solution at center until further notice, I really like this pickup for TNT.