Chris Tiu has no regrets over his decision to retire from the game he loves.
Tiu announced his retirement from basketball official last January 8 via social media platform Twitter. This puts an end to his short yet sweet six-year pro career with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the Philippine Basketball Association.
“I think at peace na ako,” said Tiu, who earned All-Interview Team and Breakout Player of the Year honors in the 25th annual PBA Press Corps Awards, Monday night at the Novotel Manila Araneta Center in Cubao, Quezon City.
“It’s a decision that was supposed to be made years ago, so I extended my career already for a few years. And I’m glad that I was able to have the chance to play more minutes, especially the last year,” admitted the heady floor general.
Still, the two-time champion didn’t shy away from admitting that doubts still circled in his mind prior to making his retirement official.
“Before pressing the Tweet send button, I was kind of nervous and I asked my wife, ‘Sure na ba tayo? Sure na ba tayo?’ I thought about it for years, very sure, but when you’re right there, you still feel unsure because this is it, ‘di ba?
“Basketball was a part of my life forever, and it’s definitely a transition to a new phase of my life,” he said.
Moreover, Tiu did not deny that there are times he misses the Elasto Painters, who have been his home in the last six years. Rain or Shine, under then-head coach Yeng Guiao, took him with the seventh overall pick in the 2012 Draft.
“Occasionally, I think about it and what it will be like if I were still playing especially with the new Rain or Shine team. They seem to be very fun today and very inspired,” said Tiu, who’s a member of the 2013 All-Rookie Team.
“I’m going to miss playing with those guys and seeing them everyday, chatting with them, and working with them, nakaka-miss din talaga.”
But then again, Tiu has no regrets over his decision. For him, he even feels relieved, as he can now move on and set his sights on other commitments.
“I felt also relieved in the way that I don’t have any more commitments with the team, because being part of a professional team takes a lot of dedication and commitment,” said the Ateneo de Manila alumnus.
“To be able to finally make it official, to make it known, I’m kind of relieved. I can now move on and focus on other things.”
