PBA: In time, we could be a team like Talk 'N Text - Chris Tiu

When he decided to apply for the PBA Draft, Chris Tiu wanted nothing more than to win a PBA championship. Tiu is a player who has won in every level of basketball he has played in. The only thing missing was a championship in the professional league.

 

"It's sad that we can't win a championship in my rookie conference," said Tiu. "But we can't be too down about it. We need to snap out of it soon so we can start preparing for the next conference."

 

The former Ateneo Blue Eagle played his best game of the conference in game three of the Philippine Cup Finals, but only managed to score four points in 16 minutes the next time around, as his Rain or Shine Elasto Painters were swept by the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters. [Related: Tiu gives Rain or Shine a lift, but team still falls short] "Looking back, I think I could have done better,"  admitted Tiu. "I only became aggressive in the last two games because I was trying to feel out my teammates and my coach. In fact, I should have been aggressive even in the semis against San Mig Coffee."

 

Admittedly, his Elasto Painters lacked the experience and the poise that the Tropang Texters had, but Tiu said this Finals series loss, even though painful, will teach them lessons they can use in the future: "We learned a lot of things from Talk n' Text," Tiu said. "We gained experience and I believe that in time, we could be a team like Talk n' Text."

 

Tiu also said that he was surprised with the atmosphere that the PBA Finals had. "People were saying that without fan favorites Ginebra and San Mig in the Finals, people won't show up to watch," Tiu said. "But it was really inspiring to see our fans coming in the thousands to support us. I thought nothing will be at par with the atmosphere of the UAAP Finals, but the PBA Finals really isn't that different."

 

"I hope we can come back soon to redeem ourselves." - RAF, GMA News