For Chua, a poor start is better than a poor finish. He’d rather peak late than early. In Chua’s first season as a PBA coach in 1999, he recalls Tanduay sputtering to a 0-2 start and winding up in the Finals.
A slow start is Chua’s motivation to pump up the adrenaline. It’s a challenge to bring out the best from his troops.
Chua, 37, is upbeat despite the early skid. "It’s a long conference," he says. "Everybody has a chance. We’re hurting because of injuries. Kenneth (Duremdes) is in the injured list. We’re hoping after five games, he’ll be back."
Chua isn’t discounting the possibility of Sta. Lucia eventually making it to the Finals—like Tanduay in 1999. "Anything can happen," he notes. "Kenneth can come back and give us a lift. Derrick (Brown) is now with us and he’s getting better game after game. Dennis (Espino) and Marlou (Aquino) are our anchors. Gerard (Francisco) is back. If we play together, we’ll be fine."
In Chua’s book, San Miguel Beer’s Art Long is the toughest import in town because of his solid inside game. But he quickly adds that Brown is difficult to stop, too.
As for the teams that give him the most headaches, Chua says they all do. However, he singles out San Miguel Beer, Talk n Text, Coca Cola, Alaska and Red Bull — not necessarily in that order — as teams most likely to figure in the race to the Finals.
The Realtors’ first win—a 100-98 decision over Barangay Ginebra last Wednesday — came with little to spare. Still, it was enough for Chua to celebrate and unknot his ponytail. Like Red Auerbach lighting a cigar once the Boston Celtics ice a game, Chua lets his hair down as soon as a win is in the bag.
Chua says playing zone against Ginebra broke the Kings’ back. "The zone kept them off-balance," explains Chua. "We made it difficult for them to play their one-on-one game. When they made adjustments, we went to man-to-man. In their next rotation, we were back to zone. We probably confused them because in the last few seconds when they needed to foul, they forgot to even if the ball went to Marlou."
Chua says the ice-breaker put Sta. Lucia over the hump and created momentum for the Realtors. Chua says some of his team’s losses could’ve gone either way. None of the losses was a blowout and Sta. Lucia was in the fight of every setback until the end. For instance, the Realtors lost to Red Bull by one and to Talk n Text by two on Willie Miller’s buzzer-beater.
The defeat to Purefoods was particularly painful. Chua was thrown out for uppercutting the ball in referee Jose Calungcaguin’s hands late in the contest. It was Chua’s second ejection in his PBA coaching career.
"Napuno na talaga ako," sighs Chua. "He made three outside calls in front of me and each one was questionable. We reviewed the tape and listed 19 doubtful calls in all. Referees are human but so are coaches. I approached the referee after making that last call and he ignored me. Parang he challenged me. Tao lang ako. I have a passion for the game. I wouldn’t react the way I do if I don’t care whether we win or lose. I hope the referees understand me. Huwag naman silang mag-decide ng outcome in the end game."
Chua was fined by PBA commissioner Noli Eala for striking the ball which hit Calungcaguin in the face. He took the penalty like a man.
"Nothing personal against the referees," says Chua. "I know they’re just doing their job. All I’m asking for is consistency. I’m not justifying what I did. I’m sorry for that. But I hope we all get better because of this incident."
Asked what three things tick him off, Chua replies: "First, a referee who isn’t man enough to admit a mistake. Second, a referee who doesn’t treat you like a human being — he ignores you, looks at you and walks away. And third, a referee who makes cheap calls on incidental at manipis na contact."
Chua admits he’s hungry for a PBA title. Before jumping to the pros, Chua had his fill of championships. He won two titles for Xavier School, a championship in the PICAA and seven crowns in nine Philippine Basketball League Finals.
As a player, Chua gained a reputation for his firebrand style with the Letran juniors and the University of Santo Tomas (UST) seniors. He played two years in Taiwan after his UAAP stint. In 1987, Chua began his coaching career with the UST juniors.
The eighth of nine children, Chua grew up playing hoops. He joined his brothers learning the game at Grace Christian. His father, who once owned a family business in garments, is now retired and living with his mother in San Francisco.
Chua and wife Jocelyn were high school sweethearts. When she left for the US, distance made it difficult for them to continue their relationship. Until 10 years later, they met again in San Francisco. The Chuas now have four children, all boys — Mark Francis, 9, Kyle Francis, 7, Nathan Francis, 5 and Cody Francis, 2.
A typical day for Chua begins at dawn. He wakes up early to begin a two-hour daily gym workout at 6:30 a.m. in Banawe. After the workout, he goes home then leaves for the Realtors practice which starts at 10:30 a.m. in the Sta. Lucia Mall. He’s back home at 2:30 p.m. to view endless tape.
Chua says he tries to do his work when his wife and sons are occupied so they can spend their free time as a family.
Chua broke into the PBA as a Pop Cola assistant coach under Turo Valenzona in 1997 and later, Norman Black. He coached Tanduay then joined Sta. Lucia as Black’s assistant before taking over the head job this season. His coaching idols are Phil Jackson, Bobby Knight and Rick Pitino.
On Eala, Chua says the PBA commissioner is right for the job. "It was tough last year but he did well in his period of adjustment," he continues. "Now, we’re seeing the results of his leadership. Maganda ang takbo ng liga muli. He talks to you like a friend. He listens to you. He decides on what is best for the league. That’s the kind of commissioner you want."
On PBA chairman and his Sta. Lucia boss Buddy Encarnado, Chua says he owes it to him to stay focused. "There is pressure on us to perform," says Chua. "Boss Buddy always makes time for us despite his busy schedule. We appreciate what he’s doing. We know it’s not only Sta. Lucia he cares for but the entire league. Mr. (Excy) Robles and Boss Buddy are our inspiration."