Sunday, December 18, 2011
Typhoon Sendong ravaged Mindanao and orphaned a lot of people. The depression also left a
ton of destruction with damages almost totalling to a billion pesos. Our
thoughts and prayers for those affected by the calamity!
*****
Chris Tiu is looking forward to another
tour of duty with the Smart-Gilas
squad. He is looking for another shot to international glory - this time via the FIBA World Championships that will be held in Spain in 2014. The team has yet to name a coach but on the shortlist are incumbent
mentor Rajko Toroman, Ateneo coach
Norman Black, Talk N Text coach Chot Reyes, and B-Meg coach Tim Cone. This
is nice and all because not all of us are patriots. Aldrech Ramos, a former Smart-Gilas standout is still a Patriot...
but he’s the ABL version of it... as
of this moment. Ramos could return for another shot at the qualifier alongside
Gilas mainstay Greg Slaughter.
Others considered are Kiefer Ravena,
Bobby Ray Parks, RR Garcia, and Kevin Alas. Alas is currently honing his
craft with the LA Slam.
But do you remember when Romel Adducul first arrived in the PBA
as part of the ABC-All Stars? He
arrived late in the game and he found out why the MBA was eating away his talent. Now what if Tiu decides to join the
PBA with his glory days behind him?
Yes, Tiu is a successful philanthropist.
Aside from his Gilas gigs, he is a host, product endorser, and entrepreneur.
But he could have been a Top Five pick in any draft class after he graduated
but he has stayed away from the PBA. Well, he did play in the PBA twice as part
of the Smart-Gilas squad but we often wonder how the former Atenean gunner
would fit in a team like Talk N Text, Meralco,
or hell... Ginebra.
I get it. Chris Tiu is one of
those people that doesn’t need the PBA to complete his basketball career. In some ways, this can be compared with Marian Rivera not posing for FHM. Tiu has already proven that he'll rather follow the route of Caloy Loyzaga than a career a la Paul Lee. Danny Francisco and BJ
Manalo are players who learned that there is life after college basketball. The only difference however is that these three have different circumstances. Francisco lost his chance to turn pro when he was diagnosed with a heart
ailment and Manalo failed to embark on a PBA career when he was cut by Purefoods during his rookie season and
has given up on his dream ever since. Tiu averaged 11.6 points, 7.4 rebounds,
and 4.4 assists in 11 outings and 37.5 minutes per ball game. Everyone thought
Tiu is merely a shooter but that huge rebounding stat is something we shouldn’t
shrug. The guy is a goldmine and every time he misses competitive action, his
edge loses spark as well.
I think the best possible
scenario for Tiu is to have him drafted by a pro-Pangilinan franchise like Talk
N Text and Meralco. In some ways, they can also “bully” Barako Bull and Shopinas for a mid-level star and a couple of first
round selections. Alaska and Powerade
are also viable options since both squads are ready to shell out their talent
for pride and country. The problem Team MVP needs to face is the SMC squads.
They’ll definitely “hostage”
Tiu for a big name.
But hey, I just want to see if
Tiu has what it takes to bring his game “professionally” to the PBA.
Game over!
*****
Postscript: In other PBA news, Gabe Norwood
looks like Shivaker.
This happened when I was
checking out the post-game analysis of the Powerade-B-Meg game. The Powerade
Tigers won in overtime but when Mico Halili and Jason Webb started to check in
on the AKTV Center... boom!
There he is... appearing in a
checkered polo shirt... looking like Sam YG!
You know what – maybe he should
guest on Magic 89.9’s top-rating radio show Boys Night Out. I believe he’s
articulate enough to not mess up lines.
