Geo Chiu refuses to feel weighed down by expectations despite being one of the touted prospects of the upcoming PBA Season 50 Draft.
The young big man simply chooses to enjoy the journey as he now embarks on the next chapter of a budding career after playing pro overseas.
“Hindi mawawala ‘yun eh,” he told reporters during Day 1 of the Draft Combine Thursday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig. “It’s always there.
“But for me naman, like what my parents always tell me, just enjoy it, parang no pressure naman. Like if I add pressure to myself, then it’s not gonna turn out really well,” he said.
“We’re just enjoying the process, enjoying the journey.”
Chiu, who beat the August 29 deadline for submission of draft applications, is coming in as the tallest player of this class being listed at 6-foot-8.
Having that size has made the Ateneo de Manila product a projected first-rounder, with some fans and pundits believing that he could be a high pick.
Still, the former Ehime Asian import won’t mind wherever he lands, as a draft selection is more than enough to be grateful for.
“No matter what happens naman, I’m just really grateful,” he said. “That’s something naman na hindi natin control e, ‘di ba … For me and my family, ine-embrace na lang namin, whatever the outcome is we’ll accept it.
“‘Yung ibang reporters, they’re asking me if there’s any team na I would want to play for. I was like, wherever I get drafted, I have to accept it and I will have no problem playing anywhere,” added the 24-year-old center.
After all, playing in the PBA has always been a dream of his ever since he was young, and realizing that would mean everything for him.
“Looking back, it’s something I really wanted to fulfill,” he said. “And sakto rin naman ‘yung opportunity ngayon. And siguro I just want to be close to my family also — it’s something na medyo mahirap kasi when you’re abroad eh.”
And getting an opportunity to play against some of the PBA’s best bigs like June Mar Fajardo and Japeth Aguilar would be the cherry on top for him.
“We know naman na this position is kinda tough. You’re playing against imports, and you’re playing with the best players sa PBA. ‘Yung mga makakalaban mo roon they’re a lot smarter, mas veteran, mas physical,” he said.
“But we’re just trying to learn. Something to look forward to is playing against yung mga names out there that are really good.”
#WATCH: “IT’S A BIG DECISION.”
Geo Chiu opens up on the long process he and his family went through before entering the #PBADraft 🏀
📹 @justinebacnis /Tiebreaker Times pic.twitter.com/DDQljn27mO
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) September 4, 2025
