Chris Tiu Will Not Join The PBA Draft 2011: Read His Official Statement Here
After several months of waiting, the 5'11 guard of the Smart Gilas Pilipinas has finally made an official announcement saying that he will not join the PBA Draft 2011. Unlike his other teammates in Gilas such as Dylan Ababou, Jayvee Casio, Mark Barroca, and Jason Ballesteros who all passed their PBA Draft applications, Chris Tiu decided not to pass his application earlier today to beat the deadline. Instead of accomplishing the draft requirements, he made an official announcement. Much like a press conference saying that he will not turn pro. Here's his official statement.
"After much prayer and consultation with family and friends, I have decided not to take part in the PBA draft this year. My dream has always been to represent our flag and country by competing in the various international tournaments. Should management wish to invite me, it would be my privilege to continue on with the Gilas national team program. Thank you for the support."
I'm sure some of the basketball fans will not be able to appreciate his official statement because they want to see Chris play in the PBA. The best thing that we can do for Chris right now is for us to just respect his decision and let's just support him all the way no matter what.
Tiu, Casio, 3 others staying with Gilas? (Joe Villar)
Smart Gilas Pilipinas will have naturalized Marcus Douthit, team captain Chris Tiu, JV Casio, Chris Lutz and Marcio Lassiter as the spearheads of the team seeking a berth in the 2014 FIBA World Championship.
The five, who are part of the core seeing action in the FIBA-Asia Championship slated Sept. 15-25 in Wuhan, China – where the winner will represent the region in the 2012 London Olympics – were actually named in a meeting done by top by the MVP group of companies funding the program.
"The players staying were already pin-pointed in that meeting and they are Tiu, Casio, Lutz, Lassiter and Douthit," said a reliable source privy to the group.
Tiu, however, is still undecided whether he will apply for the draft or stay with the program for another two years targeting the 2013 FIBA-Asia Championships, where three spots are being staked in the 2014 FIBA Worlds.
"I 'm still consulting with my family," said Tiu, who is reportedly being eyed by Powerade to be its top overall pick.
For his part, Casio, who is currently nursing a swollen left knee that sidelined him late in the Jones Cup where the Nationals finished a strong third in Chinese Taipei, did not return text messages or calls but there were reports he is inclined to stay put.
Lutz and Lassiter, both Fil-Ams, have actually submitted their draft application late last month but can pull out in the last minute if they eventually decide to stay in the program, which was formed three years back.
The 6-10 Douthit, of course, is a clear choice considering that he has proven in past tournaments that he is the answer to the country's perennial woes up front.
Japeth Aguilar, the athletic 6-10 forward, will be allowed to return to his mother club, Talk N' Text, with a chance of being recalled to national team duties.
The rest of the team, co-skipper Mark Barroca, Mac Baracael, Dylan Ababou and Jason Ballesteros, had already served flag and country for three years and would now turn pro. They are all expected to be picked in the first round of the PBA rookie draft on Aug. 28 at Robinson's Place Manila.
"They've served the country for three years now and they're not getting any younger so I think it’s about time they turn pro," said Ed Ponceja, who is the manager or agent of Baracael and Barroca.
"All remaining Smart Gilas players have submitted application," said Charlie Dy, who represents Casio. "If in case my player changes his mind, we could pull out any time before the Aug. 26 deadline."
The retention of Tiu, Casio, Lassiter, Lutz and Douthit came just a week after the Smart Gilas program was extended for another couple of years owing to its recent success, including solid games against a stellar NBA cast in the Smart Ultimate All-Star Weekend last month and the Jones Cup.
There are also plans of re-absorbing seven-footer Greg Slaughter, who is currently playing for Ateneo, and adding several talented players from the collegiate ranks, including Ateneo's Kiefer Ravena, FEU star RR Garcia and Bobby Ray Parks of NU.
Information Courtesy of Chris Tiu, Ballers Pinas and Phil Star
http://www.ballerspinas.com/2011/08/chris-tiu-will-not-join-pba-draft-2011.html
and
http://www.philstar.com/SportsArticle.aspx?articleId=718162&publicationSubCategoryId=200
If You Like This Kapuso Post, Click Here To Subscribe Via Email
