CHARLES Tiu has won championships in international tournaments and had been in the NCAA finals a couple of times.
And yet, he says the feeling is still weird now that he's finally into his first-ever foray as PBA head coach.
“It’s definitely a surreal feeling for me. Getting the first win off my back,” said Tiu after steering Phoenix to a close 101-98 win over Magnolia in the 50th Season Commissioner’s Cup Friday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
READ: Evan Nelle's clutch drive preserves big Phoenix win over Magnolia
“It’s nice. It’s still something that hasn’t sunk in, to coach in the PBA is a dream for anybody.”
As replacement for Willy Wilson, Tiu came in with a coaching resume that includes steering Strong Group Athletics and Mighty Sports to three William Jones Cup championships and guiding Benilde to its first NCAA finals in 2019 after a 20-year absence.
The 37-year-old brother of former PBA player Chris Tiu likewise served as deputy coach in the original Smart Gilas Pilipinas, Powerade, Barako Bull, Meralco, and Converge before finally taking on the head coaching post with the Fuel Masters.
“Masaya. To be honest, sabi ko ‘Man, maybe I’d never get into this press room to talk to you guys,’” he said, recalling his days as a TV panelist who used to watch league scribes asking coaches during the post-game presser.
But Tiu stressed the win is not about him.
“All the credit goes to the players,” he made that clear. “At the end of the day, they were the one who made the plays. Ako, I’m just here to help them out, sometimes get out of their way, and today we won.”
Phoenix's new era
Tiu has a lot to thank for in import James Dickey, who made his presence felt in the middle by finishing with 20 points and 26 rebounds, Jason Perkins who had 19 points including nine in the fourth quarter, and the pair of Kai Ballungay and Ken Tuffin, who finished with 12 points each.
Ricci Rivero and Evan Nelle also responded with 10 points each, with the latter's gutsy layup over a throng of Hotshots giving Phoenix a 100-96 cushion in the final 17 seconds after their opponents rallied back from a 13-point deficit.
“It was a nice game. It was a hard-fought win. There was pressure, but the guys really responded,” said Tiu.
He’s keeping his fingers crossed the winning doesn’t stop here.
“I’m very thankful, and hopefully, this won’t be the last time I get to sit here (in the podium),” said the first-year PBA shot-caller.
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