Is Geo Chiu for real?

Geo Chiu is touted as the tallest applicant for the Sept. 7 PBA draft and if only for his size, could be the first overall pick. But is he a game-changer or role player? Can he make a difference as the man in the middle? Or will he just come off the bench and log sparse minutes?

The first thing that has to be confirmed is his ceiling. Basketball websites note that he’s anywhere between 6-8 and 6-10. Is he as tall as June Mar Fajardo? The coming Draft Combine should settle the score once and for all. Every applicant will be measured with precision so Chiu’s height will be determined. The closest any applicant is to Chiu’s listed height is 6-9 Ladis Lepalan of St. Benilde but he, too, will be measured at the Draft Combine. There are a few others in the 6-7 category, namely, Arnold Ando of UST, Mario Barasi of Adamson, Ivan Santos of TIP and Jerick Villanueva of UE. Whether their heights are exaggerated or not will be found out. Elevated shoes could add an inch or two but the players will be sized on their bare feet.

Chiu, 24, was never a big-time scorer in four years with the Ateneo seniors. In UAAP Season 86, he averaged 1.4 points, 2.7 rebounds and 7.7 minutes over 14 games. But Chiu’s a tested winner with UAAP seniors and juniors championships plus a Jones Cup title under his belt. He declined his final year of varsity eligibility to turn pro with the Taiwan Mustangs in The Asian Tournament.

From TAT, Chiu moved to the Japanese B-League D2, playing for Ehime Orange Vikings. The stint was uneventful as he averaged 3.0 points, 3.2 rebounds and 16.2 minutes in 53 games. Chiu tallied double figure points thrice, scoring 11 in a 29-point loss to Fukuoka, 11 in a 34-point defeat to Chiba and 13 in a 32-point setback to Fukuoka in a rematch. He grabbed 12 rebounds in a 43-point loss to Fukui and was scoreless in 18 outings. From the free throw line, Chiu shot 41 of 76 for a .539 clip but from the floor, he was a respectable .542. In rebounds, he had 65 offensive and 106 defensive.

From the B-League, Chiu jumped to Abra in the MPBL where he’s averaging 5.6 points and 5.4 rebounds. He’ll finish his MPBL obligations before suiting up in the PBA, assuming he’s drafted and offered a contract.

The stats indicate Chiu isn’t an impact player. But his Gilas experience should go a long way despite his low numbers. He averaged 1.9 points and 3.3 rebounds in nine Gilas contests from the 2021 Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Serbia to the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers to the 2022 FIBA Asia Cup and to the 2023 FIBA World Cup Asia qualifiers. As a youth player, he saw action at the FIBA U17 World Cup in 2018 and FIBA U19 World Cup in 2019. Chiu has played with outstanding teammates and received coaching from top-caliber mentors so those are credits on his resume.

Terrafirma will pick first in the draft and could use a player of Chiu’s size. The Dyip roster lists 6-8 Kemark Carino, also a B-League graduate and it remains to be seen if Chiu can deliver stronger minutes. Coach Ronald Tubid may opt for a blue-chip guard like Jason Brickman or Juan Gomez de Liano rather than risk his first overall pick for a low-scoring big man. Chiu can score from mid-range, has a soft-touch floater and will use his size to post up for power moves. But is he quick or agile enough to spin around defenders? The Draft Combine may reveal the answers.