MANILA, Philippines – Matapos pumutok ang balita ng kaniyang pareretiro sa basketball, nag-soul searching si Rain or Shine guard Chris Tiu upang makapag-isip-isip sa kaniyang career.
Ikinuwento ni Tiu na sa kaniyang pag-iisip ay may nakilala siyang isang batang cancer patient na nagpabago ng kaniyang desisyon.
“I was looking for a sign. When I went to PCMC (Philippine Children’s Medical Center) for outreach last week, a 10-year-old, who was suffering from leukemia, saw me and told me that he was a big fan and that he was devastated when he found out that I was going to retire,” kuwento ng dating Ateneo Blue Eagles star sa Philstar.com.
“Although a career in business can provide livelihood, basketball is unique in providing joy, entertainment and inspiration, especially to young kids,”dagdag niya.
Matapos niyang makasalamuha ang leukemia patient ay nabago ang kaniyang desisyon at naisip na maglaro pa ng isang taon sa Elasto Painters.
Bukod sa basketball ay inaasikaso rin ni Tiu ang kanilang negosyo at kasabay pa nito ang ilang television shows kaya naman nais niyang isang taon lang muna ang kaniyang extension.
“I’m not sure if I can commit two years given the demands of my other work, And I think it would be fair if we do a year first, then see what the situation would be like,” banggit ni Tiu na kabilang sa unang binuong Gilas Pilipinas national basketball team.
Samantala, bukas ang pintuan ng Rain or Shine sa muling paglalaro ni Tiu sa kanilang koponan.
“Sinabi naman namin kay Chris na ngayon pa na maganda ang nilalaro niya (saka siya magre-retire), but we feel parang okay siya mag-renew. And kahit one or two years lang (period of contract renewal), okay na sa amin,” pahayag ni Rain or Shine board governor Atty. Mamerto Mondragon.
Hindi pa rin naman pinapalad na makatikim ng kampeonato si Tiu, kung saan apat na runner-up trophies pa lang ang kaniyang nakukuha sa tatlong taon niya sa PBA.