FILE – TNT big man Justin Chua shoots a jumper against Terrafirma in the PBA Governors’ Cup. PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines—TNT will have to make do without Justin Chua for the remainder of the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals, interim coach Jojo Lastimosa said on Wednesday.
Chua has been ruled out for the rest of the series, currently tied at 1-1, after the big man suffered an ACL and meniscal tear he sustained early in Sunday’s Game 1.
“He suffered an ACL tear and meniscal tear which is too bad but I believe in the guys we have right now and we’ll play the next man up,” Lastimosa said after the Tropang Giga’s 95-82 victory over the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings.
Chua, who did not play in Game 2, averaged 4.8 points and 2.5 rebounds per game prior to the injury.
With Chua adding to TNT’s frontcourt woes, Lastimosa relied more on Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, who delivered with a near-triple-double of 23 points, 19 rebounds and nine assists as well as clamping down Ginebra forward Justin Brownlee.
“If you need me to guard Justin (Brownlee) the whole game so other guys can step up and score more or for me to facilitate more, I’m cool with that. I’ve been a defender my whole life,” said the former NBA veteran, who helped in limiting Brownlee to a conference-low 12 points on just 3-of-11 shooting from the field.