MONTALBAN, Rizal – Geo Chiu nearly cost Terrafirma the victory on Saturday when he missed point blank attempts in the fourth quarter of their PBA Commissioner’s Cup contest against Converge.
The top pick of the Season 50 draft missed two shots inside the paint with 17.9 seconds left in the fourth quarter, attempts that would have given Terrafirma the lead.
Fortunately for Chiu and the Dyip, the misses weren’t fatal as Juan Gomez de Liano could only hit one of two free throws on the other end for a 100-98 spread.
Terrafirma was able to send the game into overtime on a lay-up by Ali Mubashar with 16.6 seconds left in regulation.
The Dyip later took the win, holding the FiberXers scoreless in the entire overtime for a 111-100 victory.
READ: Unstoppable Ali Mubashar powers Terrafirma upset versus Converge
Chiu was bummed that he was unable to score in that situation, which could have given Terrafirma the outright victory in regulation.
“Hindi lang po natutok ng maayos,” said Chiu with a smile. “Minadali ko po siguro kasi paubos na po ‘yung oras.”
Nevertheless, Chiu said he was urged by the coaching staff and team officials led by Terrafirma team governor Pido Jarencio to play on.
Chiu responded with several key defensive plays in overtime to help Dyip seal the win.
“Kinausap po ako ni Boss Pido, sabi niya, okay lang ‘yan, tuloy mo lang. Lucky enough na nagkaroon ng chance na mag-overtime. And nakabawi naman po,” said Chiu.
Ali Mubashar had 50 points, 25 rebounds, and three blocks to power the Dyip to the huge win, but Chiu also did his share in the game.
The Terrafirma rookie actually had a better showing, particularly on offense, in his role as he had nine points, 13 rebounds, and two blocks - one shy of a double-double.
“A lot better kasi po ngayon, in a way, mas kalmado naman na po in a way. Pero ‘yun, nangyari pa rin ‘yung tira na tutok na lang, mintis pa. Pero mas okay naman ngayon. Tuluy-tuloy lang ang trabaho,” he said.
Chiu was dunked on in the game against Converge import Kylor Kelley but later redeemed himself by also making a dunk on a fastbreak finish, one of the highlight plays in the match-up.
“Sa amin naman po kasi, we just try to run lalo na kanina, merong opportunity, nakadalawa pa nga diba. Pero kung may opportunity lang po, takbo lang kami ng takbo,” said the 6-foot-10 center.
Chiu was also thankful to Mubashar’s effort that sent Terrafirma to its first 2-0 start since the 2024 Philippine Cup.
“I’m proud of him kasi si Ali naman po ‘yung nagdala sa amin. Sinasabi nga po nila na ‘yung energy talaga niya ‘yung nagdala sa amin, very infectious talaga and he is a very nice guy,."
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