BETTER late than never for Geo Chiu as he finally heeded the advice of one coach Tab Baldwin.
Chiu, who had played his last year for Ateneo and had averaged 1.4 points and 2.3 rebounds in UAAP Season 86, is now bound for the Japan B.League.
And the Ehime Orange Vikings aren't only getting a 6-foot-10 big, they'll also be welcoming a leaner, meaner bruiser as determined as ever to prove himself.
"Si coach Tab, he's always been teaching us how to be a professional and you can't really function if you're playing at my kind of weight before. Medyo mabigat talaga," he said.
"So I said to myself, if I really wanna be a professional in this field, I have to do something about my weight."
As he has been several times over before, Baldwin was right - and Chiu should've seen to it that in Tab, he trusted.
"Especially for my last season (in Ateneo), dun ko na-realize na yung pinagsasabi ni coach Tab, may sense naman pala talaga. Tama naman pala, medyo stubborn lang ako," he said, with a grin on his face.
Eager Eagle
When as a Blue Eaglet and then Blue Eagle, Chiu was a big bruiser who, yes, took up space, he was groundbound and prone to get beaten by quicker attackers.
That may very well no longer be the case, as the former collegiate champion now walks around at a fit 226 lbs, with less than 10 percent body fat.
"Honestly, nung freshman year ko, andaming naging problems sa knees ko, kasi nga mabigat ako. So now, buti na-lessen na siya kasi mas aware na ako e. 'Pag sumasakit ang knees ko, that means maybe I have to lose weight," he said.
Indeed, losing close to 30 lbs has let Chiu become more agile and mobile. Now, he's a true-blue paint presence, ready and raring to get physical with bigs and capable and confident at defending guards.
At the other end, the fitter frame has also allowed him to unsheathe more weapons, including a silky smooth floater as well as quite a few post-up finishes.
"Nung last year ko sa Ateneo, dun na ako nagpondo talaga (in terms of weights). Coach Tab wanted us to be animals in the gym so every practice, I go hours earlier to work on strength and conditioning. You have to invest in it talaga e," he said.
Chiu-sing himself
Of course, Chiu wouldn't get to where he is now without a lot of work - whether that be in the weight room or observing a disciplined diet.
And safe to say, that hard work is already paying off, as aside from getting signed by the B.League B2 side, Chiu is also seeing action for the Taiwan Mustangs in The Asian Tournament and is set to suit up for Strong Group Athletics in the oncoming William Jones Cup.
"Mas confident na rin ako kasi I know better kung anong kayang gawin ng body ko. Sa international, everyone's really fast. If you're slow there, I don't think you're gonna succeed in the long run," he said.
"Yung goal naman talaga is to make sure na makakasabay ka sa kanila."
Making his presence felt in the B.League, though, is easier said than done. After all, even the likes of Kai Sotto and Carl Tamayo - his contemporaries in Batang Gilas and the UAAP - haven't been seeing consistent minutes for their respective teams.
That's exactly why the ex-Ateneo Blue Eagle has vowed to keep at it, pushing himself to his very limit all in the name of proving that this version of Geo Chiu is the best he's ever been.
"I'm working on it pa rin, constantly. Hopefully, magtuloy-tuloy na nga talaga," he said.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
