After six years, Chris Tiu says goodbye to his PBA career

FILE: “My heartfelt gratitude to every person who has been part of my basketball journey!” (Photo: @chris_tiu17/Instagram)

Thirty-three-year-old Chris Tiu has announced his decision to retire from the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) last January 8 after six years playing for team Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.

The point guard shared on his Twitter, “My heartfelt gratitude to every person who has been part of my basketball journey!!

Most especially to our Lord who makes all things possible. It’s now time to move on. My heart is full.” He adds, “Number seventeen signing off,” referring to his signature jersey number.

Tiu started his professional career in 2012 as the 7th overall pick in the PBA Rookie Draft, then playing a big part in the Elasto Painters’ championship in the 2016 PBA Commissioner’s Cup and finishing his career in the most recent season with a career-high of 30 points against the NLEX Road Warriors last November. In that same conference, he averaged 8.9 points, 2.6 assists, and 1.9 rebounds per game. At the end of the season, he hinted to the media, “I’ve had a lot of things to do outside of basketball and there are a lot of new things I want to learn and explore.”

In 2010, Tiu represented the Philippines as a member of Gilas Pilipinas. He took home the goal in the 2011 SEABA, as well as the Southeast Asian Games, as well as a bronze in the Jones Cup. The last time Tiu represented the Philippines was in 2018, where he joined the national team in Jakarta for the Asian Games.

The former Ateneo Blue Eagle also made headlines during his university career leading his alma matter to win the 2008 University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Championship. He also was part of the Mythical Five twice.