Sta. Lucia enlists Chua

After resolving his contract dispute with his former team Tanduay Rhum last week, coach Alfrancis Chua is coming back in the Philippine Basketball Association, working as team consultant at Sta. Lucia Realty.

A reliable source said Chua, sacked by Tanduay and replaced by Derick Pumaren, has reached a deal with Sta. Lucia top honchos Excy Robles and Buddy Encarnado and may make his first appearance on the Sta. Lucia bench Friday in their game against the San Miguel Beermen.

Apparently, no less than Sta. Lucia coach Norman Black recommended Chua for the job. The two are good friends, having worked together at Sunkist.

Black and Chua parted ways in 1999 when Tanduay, which the latter coached in the PBL, rejoined the PBA. — Nelson Beltran