Though mentioning a lot of other factors, Sta. Lucia team manager Buddy Encarnado gave some credit to Chua for their sudden charge in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
The Realtors are riding the momentum of three straight victories and are hoping to get a shot at a twice-to-beat privilege in the quarterfinal round as they play the Red Bull Thunder at 6:30 p.m. today at the Araneta Coliseum. The Alaska Aces and the Shell Turbochargers clash at 4:15.
"He’s bringing in a fresher, newer perspective in practically all aspects of this team. Kaya nga I don’t think we did wrong in hiring him," said Encarnado.
"Some were asking ‘why change horses in the middle of the stream?’ But we’re not changing horses. We are just adding a talent who happens to be one of the best and at the same time free in the market," Encarnado added.
Encarnado admitted some of his key players, no less, were the first to question their decision to recruit Chua. He said: "Sabi ng mga players mayabang daw, sabi ko naman iyon nga ang kulang natin. Isa pa personal na iyon.
"Dapat nga ang management ang umangal because they’ve got additional expenses. But the management thought we owe it to our players to give them the best coaching talent available. It's a move we're compelled to do for the betterment of the team."
And since signing up the former Tanduay coach a few days back, the Sta. Lucia team manager has observed positive changes in the team.
"Unlike before na mga nakayuko ang ulo, ngayon me swagger na ang team. Me yabang na rin. Unahan pa pagdating sa practice o game," Encarnado said.
"Sa war room naman, medyo naiba because Alfrancis has his own ideas. Iyung dating grupo kasi parang nagiging de-kahon na. Ngayon meron nang mag-o-offer na ‘teka muna baka pwede nating subukan ang approach na ito,’" he added.