Geo Chiu glad to be of help to Gilas, even from other side
Geo Chiu glad to be of help to Gilas, even from other side
HE was always ready to fill in when Gilas Pilipinas lacked big men in the recent past.
Geo Chiu is still proud to help the national team prepare for a major tournament even on the other side of the fence with the country now having an abundance of slotmen.
The 6-foot-8 Chiu enjoyed matching up against a towering Gilas side as a member of the Taiwan Mustangs, who gave the PH team an early test before surrendering, 74-64, on Monday night in a tuneup for the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Latvia.
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"I’m really happy na nakapag-help kami sa kanila," Chiu said. "You can see naman na they’re really prepared for this tournament. 'Yung chemistry nila, kitang-kita niya naman na nagkaka-amuyan talaga sila sa court. And It’s really beneficial for us especially heading to the OQT."
The Ateneo product has played for Gilas in youth level since 2016 and last played for the seniors team in last year’s World Cup qualifiers.
Against this version of Gilas, Chiu was scoreless after missing his two shots, but grabbed four boards and dished out two assists in 16 minutes as he tried to match up against Blue Eaglets teammate Kai Sotto, June Mar Fajardo, and Japeth Aguilar.
"We’re hoping and praying na makapag-Olympics tayo," said Chiu, who was a member of the Tab Baldwin-mentored Gilas team that last took part in the OQT in Serbia in 2020 when the squad gave the host team a scare.
While Gilas is on his mind, Chiu is also focused on his stint with his mother team. He has been training with the Mustangs under coach Chris Gavina since early January and made his debut in The Asian Tournament last month, officially turning pro and foregoing his final year with the Blue Eagles.
geo chiu carl tamayo kai sotto
"He was asking me to play for this team," Chiu said of Gavina. "Looking at the opportunities you could get from this league, this tournament, sobrang laki siyang tulong sa’kin bilang first time na professional sa basketball. I really enjoy playing for this tournament."
Signed until the final leg of the competition in late August, Chiu, who turned 23 last May 18, is keeping his options open after his maiden pro stint. His name has also cropped up among probable top prospects in the coming PBA draft.
Will Chiu join PBA draft?
"Right now, wala pa naman po. Just trying to finish this Asian Tournament first tapos we’ll see na lang from there," said Chiu, who graduated from college last year with a degree in AB International Studies.
Will he stay overseas?
"Right now, nothing final pa naman po. We’re still finalizing stuff, but we’ll see. Naghihintay lang din po ako," he said with a smile.