Tiu's desire to play for 'popular team' makes him perfect fit for Kings

Tiu's desire to play for 'popular team' makes him perfect fit for Kings



By Richard Dy

August 15, 2012, 03:40 pm



PRO-BOUND Chris Tiu has expressed his desire to suit up for a PBA team with a “big fan base” -- a wish that could very well be granted if Barangay Ginebra selects him in Sunday's PBA rookie draft.

The longtime amateur star, one of the last to declare for the draft, said playing for a pro ballclub with popular backing would serve as an added motivation as he enters a new chapter in his basketball career.

“I’m thankful to be given an opportunity to soon play in the PBA. A lot of San Miguel teams have expressed interest to get me. But then, I don’t really know saan ako pupunta," Tiu told Spin.ph shortly after the PBA rookie biometrics session at the Club Six Fifty in Libis, Quezon City.

“But it helps if I could play for a team with a big fan base because that could give me an added motivation. Nobody wants to play in an empty gym.”

The former Ateneo star may get his wish if he lands at Ginebra, undoubtedly the league's most popular team which will be picking sixth overall in the draft proceedings at Robinsons Midtown Mall in Manila.

Tiu’s arrival could further boost the fan following of the Gin Kings, who already have top league attractions like reigning league MVP Mark Caguioa, Jay-jay Helterbrand, Kerby Raymundo, Enrico Villanueva and Mike Cortez.

Even Meralco team consultant Jong Uichico believes Tiu can be a big, big asset for any team marketing- and basketball-wise.

“Chris can be a crowd-drawer, especially to teams who need following. He’s smart, very competitive and a good shooter,” noted Uichico, a decorated PBA coach who currently is part of the Smart-Gilas II coaching staff.

The question, however, is on whether Tiu would still be available for Ginebra at No 6.

Petron, which owns the first and third pick overall, is expected to make 6’10” Cebuano June Mar Fajardo this year’s top draft pick. Tiu is tipped to land anywhere from Nos. 2 to 6 along with NCAA star Calvin Abueva and Fil-American Cliff Hodge.

But at this point, Tiu said he isn’t too consumed with where he’ll be headed. Instead, he has been focusing on improving certain facets of his game to ensure a smooth transition into the pro ranks.

“I do plyometrics then lift weights. I also participate in some alumni games of Xavier and do a lot of shooting as well. But I need to bulk up,” added Tiu.

Tiu, an original member of the Smart-Gilas national squad, is no stranger to PBA play. He was the starting guard for the Smart-Gilas squad that played as guest team in the 2009-2010 Philippine Cup as well as in last year's Commissioner’s Cup.

“I want to play competitively in the PBA. I need to get stronger and bigger. I also need to improve further my one-on-one skill because I noticed that in the PBA, there are a lot more teams relying on one-on-one plays. It’s a far different system (that Smart-Gilas) coach Rajko (Toroman) used,” he added.

Source: Spin.ph

Hindi na.... baka tapos ng ilang taon eh mag showbiz din agad to... sa BMEG na lang or Petron

^tama ka pre! sa tingin ko din di rin magtatagal yan sa PBA, pag na experience nya na ng ilang taon yan, malamang di na yan mag renew ng contract.. past time lang ang PBA sa kanya.

^Yup! tama ang mahirap dun baka hindi pa 100% ang ibigay nya sa PBA tsk tskl

NO TO CHRIS TIU for BGK!

Sayang to. Big PG natin after JJ and Mike. Medyo undersized talaga si Rob eh.

Pero medyo malayu sa katotohanan na sa ginebra to mapunta sa ngayun.

Eh balita ko sa gahaman ng petron gusto din nila makuha ito.

di na kailangan si tiu ng bgk ......... nandian naman sila maliksi at ababou ... mas magaling pa sila kaysa kay tiu basta bigyan lang PT ..........

bhrixxe wrote:Sayang to. Big PG natin after JJ and Mike. Medyo undersized talaga si Rob eh.

Pero medyo malayu sa katotohanan na sa ginebra to mapunta sa ngayun.

Eh balita ko sa gahaman ng petron gusto din nila makuha ito.

ang balita ko naman pre sa BiikMEG gusto nya maglaro.hehehe.. pero di kasi natural PG laro nyang si tiu, kung di lang popular yan dahil sa looks nya baka di rin yan pagkaguluhan ng fans

malamang sa petron o meralco yan ............

@brhixxe hahaha gusto ng petron kanila na lahat ng star players hahaha!

“We know what Chris Tiu could do.”
But Trillo also expressed concern about Tiu’s age. The former
SMART-Gilas stalwart turned 27 years old last July. “We don’t know up
to when will he play in the PBA,” said Trillo.

tignan mo 27 years old na sha? baka after 2 or 3 years umayaw na yan sa PBA.. NO TO CT!

^hahah tama mga 2-3years lang ang playing time nyan sa career nya tapos retire na then balik showbiz!

mahirap mag invest sa isang player na alam mo naman na maraming option sa buhay para kumita, in short, nakakariwasa o dugong bughaw

^sa Barako na lang siya! need din ng PG dun!

di xia papakawalan ng meralco ...............

knowing MVP .............. :naughty:

^edi maganda sa Meralco na sya hehe!

Pero hula ko talga sa Meralco yan, pero sana sa barako,air21 o powerade nalang sha

hula ko din meralco kukuha kay Tiu

Sana BARAKO hahahha!

Meralco yan kasi mahilig sa gwapings si coach RG tapos mapupunta yan sa tnt

AngelRose26 wrote:Meralco yan kasi mahilig sa gwapings si coach RG tapos mapupunta yan sa tnt

basta NO TO CT tayo mga kabs!

AngelRose26 wrote:Meralco yan kasi mahilig sa gwapings si coach RG tapos mapupunta yan sa tnt

exactly ............ paraganahan si coach RG magcoach ..............

garrett_jax wrote:

AngelRose26 wrote:Meralco yan kasi mahilig sa gwapings si coach RG tapos mapupunta yan sa tnt

exactly ............ paraganahan si coach RG magcoach ..............

tama!!!!!!!!!!!! baka naman ang mangyari matulala na lang si coach RG di na makagawa ng play nakapokus na lang kay ct

^ baka magtulo laway xia kapag kaharap si tiu ............

2 lang yan mainspired sya or matuliro sya

^kabs rose, pwede bang pagsabayin ang dalawang yan? ...........