GEO Chiu finally played for Terrafirma on Wednesday after being picked by the Dyip No. 1 overall in the PBA Season 50 Draft.
Chiu had a decent PBA debut when he hauled 14 rebounds for the Dyip, although he missed all of his five field goal attempts in their 112-82 blowout win over Titan Ultra to start the Commissioner’s Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
READ: Jerrick Ahanmisi sparks Terrafirma's 30-point rout of Titan Ultra
The former Ateneo player got all his points from the foul line, making six of his 10 free throw attempts.
Chiu admitted nerves got to him in the ballgame.
“Masyado po nangigil,” said Chiu. “Masyado po siguro na-excite. Pero nung huli, nakuha ko na po ‘yung rhythm.”
Chiu only made his PBA debut on Wednesday after he finished his commitment with the Abra Weavers in the MPBL.
His ballclub eventually won the title in the regional league.
The 24-year-old Chiu said that despite his respectable showing on Wednesday particularly in the rebounding department, he felt he could have done a lot better had the nerves didn’t kick in.
“Siyempre hindi pa rin po satisfied but masaya ako na nanalo naman kami. ‘Yun naman ang goal namin entering this game is to win,” said Chiu.
Coming into Wednesday’s contest, Chiu was also in unusual circumstance when he saw action in the PBA All-Star Weekend where he competed in the Obstacle Challenge Big Man Edition before playing his Terrafirma debut.
Although he got to experience the PBA environment in Candon City, Ilocos Sur, Chiu said playing his first-ever game in the league is very different.
“Iba pa rin po ‘yung official game and tingin ko, masyado pa rin gigil. I have to work on it. Tingin ko naman, it’s something that I can adjust. Hopefully, next game, makapag-adjust na po agad,” Chiu said.
Needless to say, the 6-foot-10 Chiu has one thing to work on for the next games.
“Siguro being patient. Kanina, kahit ako napapansin ko na masyado akong nagmamadali. Wala sa hulog. Wala sa rhythm. Pero sa mga tune-up games naman po namin, mas kalmado naman po ako. Siguro dahil first game, may kaba, pressure. Looking forward sa mga next games,” said Chiu.
“Dapat sa next game, dapat mas kalmado lang po siguro,” he added.
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