If coaches Yeng Guiao and Caloy Garcia are asked, Chris Tiu could still run like a well-oiled machine for a few years.
This comes after the 33-year-old has hinted about retiring after six years in the league with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, citing reasons such as commitment to projects outside basketball and his family.
“Chris is still good for another couple of years,” said Guiao, who had been Rain or Shine’s head coach when the team tapped Tiu with their seventh overall pick in the 2012 Draft.
“This year was his best I think, in his whole career,” shared Garcia. “Especially in the second conference.
“Yun nga, sayang eh. I hope, or I wish, that he can still play one more year but I think this year was his best.”
Both of the seasoned coaches’ claim were backed up solidly on Saturday evening – possibly the last game of his career – as Tiu dropped 30 big points to lead the Elasto Painters to a 107-101 victory over Guiao’s NLEX Road Warriors.
“He might be retiring or I don’t know, but with thirty points, he shouldn’t retire,” Garcia quipped.
But from the looks of it, and based on Tiu’ post-game statements, the product of the Ateneo de Manila Blue Eagles program might definitely be hanging up his sneakers sooner. And for Guiao and Garcia, they will support Tiu’s decision.
“Management na bahala mag-usap diyan, but malaking tulong si Chris. If he won’t be playing for us next year, we have to build on what we have,” Garcia said.
“I wish good things for Chris. He’s had a good run when he started his career in the PBA with Rain or Shine when we picked him. We won a championship with him and we were together in the Asian Games,” said Guiao.
“In between, we had a lot of good memories, good times. There were more good times that bad times and I will cherish those memories and my association and friendship with him and his family,” added Guiao.
“I’m sure he’ll be successful in any field he chooses to engage in.”
