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I'm probably the worst kind of fan there is. Obsessed and always analyzing, I've become jaded to a degree. I'm rarely effusive in my praise, but my interview last week with Smart GIlas skipper Chris Tiu left me no choice but to be different. It's funny because I've known him since he was in second year high school, but his presence, humility and wisdom never fail to amaze.
Finally able to talk to him after several tries, he graciously granted my request for an interview, inviting me over to Gilas practice. (Check out my fly on the wall article here) While he was warming up and getting treatment for his sore hamstring and thighs, I take the opportunity to strike up a conversation/interview.
Plugging the Holes
On the subject of pros playing, Chris displays his intuitive and intelligent side. He admits pros are needed, despite GIlas playing together for over 11/2 years. "There are pros and cons," Tiu explains. "Whatever experience we’ve got over the last two years, you can’t compare to the experience the other pros have gotten. They’ve been playing for the past 5-7 years of their career so it helps to have an experienced player on the team." He is fully aware that, especially at this point in their development, they need some help. "It helps to have pros plug in the holes, missing links within the team. It would definitely help to have these guys, Asi (Taulava) Kelly (Williams) Sol (Mercado), most specially the big men positions coz we’re very limited with big men."
He's a realist, though, and he recognizes the difficulties PBA players have with their commitments to their mother teams. Besides, he thinks the Gilas amateurs are more than ready themselves. "I think the level of the guys on this team now, JV (Casio), Mac (Baracael), (Chris) Lutz, Marcio (Lassiter),
when they make it to the pros, they’re not going to be considered rookies
anymore. A lot will be expected of them, so in a sense they’ve reached
that level already where they can be very competitive at the pro level; technically they’re pros as well." If given the choice to decide on the country's basketball program? It's obvious Tiu believes in the GIlas program. "I prefer you get some pros and retain the non pros, because for one being (amateur Gilas), we’ve traveled to so many countries playing against the best players and we’ve played as one team. We’ve gotten used to the system of coach (Rajko Toroman) so that’s an advantage."
