Ateneo Blue Eagles' Secret Weapon In UAAP Season 73 Is Justin Chua

With the first two games of the Ateneo De Manila University Blue Eagles against FEU Tamaraws and NU Bulldogs and with the convincing win of UST Growling Tigers against the perennial pre-season favorites the UE Red Warriors you wouldn't think that the Blue Eagles would beat them in their first meeting this UAAP Season 73 via 68-56.

The reason for that big win is Justin Chua. A 6'5 center from Chang Kai-Sheck Highschool. He didn't get a chance to play in those first two games of Ateneo because I think coach Norman Black is reserving him for big games such as that against UST. Instead of Justin Chua he started Jason "JUMBO" Escueta in the center position but it showed that he still has a lot to learn from Justin.

In their game against UST he made a crucial block against UST's super rookie Eduardo Daquioag. Eduardo was embarassed by that huge block coming from the bulky Justin Chua. Chua scored a career high 17 points, 11 rebounds and 4 blocks. A double double performance which came right where Ateneo needed it the most.

I consider Chua as the secret weapon of Ateneo and I personnaly feel that his great performance would continue for quite some time.

According to his coaches: “Justin works hard in practice. He doesn’t complain when he’s not playing. He does what you expect him to do on the floor. And today I had a gut feel that we needed his inside scoring so I gave him a chance to play and he did well,” that is a true mark of a future MVP of UAAP. He was once an MVP during his highshcool days when he played for Chang Kai-Shek in the Metro Manila Tionglian League.

The Ateneo would again implore his help as they face their arch rival and nemesis, De La Salle Green Archers on Saturday, July 24, 2010 at 4:00pm.

Go Ateneo! One Big Fight!

Here's Justin Chua's picture:


Here's his video during his highschool days. He's dominating the paint. Oh My! Video credit goes to YouTube: