Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

Basketball

Chris Tiu continues to work his way back


Much has changed since Chris Tiu was sidelined with a calf injury

Prior to the injury, the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters had still been figuring out how to integrate former league MVP James Yap and Gilas cadet Mike Tolomia into the rotation. Raymond Almazan was also the Elasto Painters’ anchor, averaging 13.0 points and 11.6 rebounds per game.

Once Tiu made his return last January 8 against the Phoenix Fuel Masters, Rain or Shine made it seem that they had already figured everything out even without Almazan, who is currently sidelined due to a calf injury. A question was then raised: how could coach Caloy Garcia ease the 31-year-old back in the rotation?

Last Friday, the former National Team stalwart did not play a single minute in the first half of Rain or Shine’s tilt against the San Miguel Beermen. But when his number was called, the Filipino-Chinese shooter came out with guns blazing.

“Well, I tried to stay ready and positive all the time,” the one-time PBA champion shared.

“Even if I didn’t play in the first half, my job is to help this team execute, speed up the tempo, and play defense; just to lead the team.”

The 5-foot-11 guard quickly made an impact during the third frame, scoring eight straight points to rally the Elasto Painters back. Tiu finished the game with his conference-high 13 points on 5-of-11 shooting to go along with five rebounds. However, Rain or Shine came out with the short end of the stick, absorbing a 101-107 loss to the league-leaders.

#ReadMore  Asi Taulava lauds Christian Standhardinger's dedication to Gilas

“Sayang. If we just held on to the ball in the last seconds of regulation, didn’t turn the ball over, and make one or two free throws, the game would have been over,” the five-year league veteran lamented.

But for the seventh overall pick in the 2012 draft, the game showed that he could still deliver when needed. And he plans on getting his conditioning back for the playoff grind.

“My calf feels okay. Maybe just a little winded since I haven’t been playing long minutes so I need to work on my conditioning. But the calf’s good,” Tiu vowed.

Written By


You May Also Like

Basketball

ANTIPOLO – Rain or Shine bid goodbye to its PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup campaign on Friday night but head coach Yeng Guiao remained...

Basketball

ANTIPOLO – TNT took care of business and finished off Rain or Shine, 113-95, to formalize its return to the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals,...

Basketball

Santi Santillan is determined to play through the pain now that Rain or Shine is on the brink of elimination in the PBA Season...

Basketball

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson did everything yet again to tow TNT past Rain or Shine, 81-79, to move one win away from securing a return trip...

Basketball

Aaron Fuller came through in the clutch as Rain or Shine eked out a 110-109 win to avoid falling to a precarious position in...

Basketball

Beau Belga refuses to use inexperience as an excuse now that Rain or Shine is two losses away from being swept in the PBA...

Basketball

Calvin Oftana and Rey Nambatac were the duo TNT used to eventually take down Rain or Shine, 108-91, and build a 2-0 lead in...

Basketball

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson was the stabilizing presence TNT needed to beat Rain or Shine, 90-81, to draw first blood in their PBA Season 49 Governors’...

Advertisement