Justin Chua may have not won the Most Improved Player award but that didn’t mean that his performance in the PBA bubble didn’t go unnoticed.
Phoenix Super LPG rewarded the southpaw big man with a three-year contract extension which is indicative of how Chua played a key role in the team’s semifinal run in the PBA Philippine Cup in the Pampanga bubble.
Chua is the latest Phoenix player to get an extension after star forward Calvin Abueva received a three-year deal and backup guard RR Garcia getting a two-year contract.
The former Ateneo big man became one of the biggest revelations of the bubble, averaging 11.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists and a league-best 1.6 blocks in 17 games for the Fuel Masters.
His play earned him a nomination for the Most Improved Player honors, but lost to Barangay Ginebra San Miguel’s Prince Caperal in the voting.
“I’m so happy for Justin for the player that he has become, and the player that he will be,” said Phoenix coach Topex Robinson, expressing confidence of Chua’s capability to achieve bigger things moving forward.
“Grateful for the management recognizing Justin’s development not just as a player but also as a person,” added Robinson. “He is now one of the pillars of our team.”
Chua is currently part of the Gilas Pilipinas pool preparing for next month’s final window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers, which will also be held in the Pampanga bubble.
Read: Gilas starts training bubble in Laguna
He’ll play a key part in Gilas’ bid to formalize its entry in the continental competition when it takes on South Korea twice and Indonesia.
Chua is back in the fold after playing for Gilas in the lone first window match against Indonesia early last year.