By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Bacolodnon big man Justin Chua is set to join the NorthPort Batang Pier as part of a pending trade that would send guard Jiovani Jalalon to the Blackwater Bossing.

The two teams have submitted the deal to the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) office for approval, according to sources familiar with the negotiations.

Chua, a 6-foot-6 stretch forward-center, is a 12-year league veteran who started his career with GlobalPort as the 10th overall pick in the 2013 PBA Draft.

He has since played for the San Miguel Beermen, Barako Bull Energy, the Meralco Bolts, the TNT Tropang 5G, the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters, and the NLEX Road Warriors before landing at Blackwater, where he appeared in 11 games in the last conference.

Known for his ability to stretch the floor with his outside shooting and provide inside presence, Chua is expected to give NorthPort additional size and versatility in the frontcourt.

On the other end of the deal, Blackwater will acquire Jalalon, a 33-year-old guard whose contract with NorthPort expires on September 30.

The former PBA Defensive Player of the Year averaged 8.33 points, 4.67 assists, 4.44 rebounds, and 1.44 steals per game in the 2025 Philippine Cup.

Jalalon, drafted in 2016, has yet to qualify for unrestricted free agency, needing one more conference to reach the league’s 21-conference requirement.

If approved, the transaction would reunite Chua with his original franchise and provide NorthPort with a seasoned frontcourt piece as it looks to strengthen its campaign in upcoming conferences./ASC, WDJ