Geo Chiu, the No. 1 overall pick of the 2025 PBA Draft, will be making his debut in Asia’s first and oldest pay-for-play league on Wednesday when the Terrafirma Dyip take on the Titan Ultra Giant Risers.
Geo Chiu Knows Pressure Comes with Expectations
The 6-foot-8 MPBL champion from the Abra Weavers actually had his first foray into official PBA business over the weekend when he took part in the Obstacle Challenge for big men. And while he savored being part of the All-Star festivities, he couldn’t help but acknowledge the pressure of finally playing in a PBA game—all while looking forward to it, of course.
“Ni-look forward ko po ito, and medyo kinakabahan din po,” said the former Ateneo Blue Eagle. “First time ko sa PBA syempre medyo may kaba pero happy naman po. Ilang months na rin ako nag-eensayo po para dito. So, sana po ‘yung lahat po ng pinag-ensayuhan ko po ng team namin mag-work, mag-payoff.”
While not a big name coming into the draft, Geo Chiu also knows he will be facing the expectations that generally come with being the top overall pick of the draft. And he’s hopeful he can do well for the Dyip.
“’Yung expectations and pressure, sinubukan kong di isipin pero, it’s always going to be at the back of my mind,” he said. “I’ll try to enjoy and sana mapaganda ang maipakita ko.”
Geo Chiu Debut Comes at a Most Opportune Time
Unfortunately for Geo Chiu, he might have to shoulder an even bigger burden than first anticipated as Terrafirma will reportedly be without two of its main players in Louie Sangalang and Mark Nonoy. The two, according to veteran sports journalist Quinito Henson, are not in the Dyip’s official lineup, have not shown up for practice, and have gone radio silent.
Without Nonoy (11.7 points) and Sangalang (12.0 points), Terrafirma will need to find scoring elsewhere, and Chiu will no doubt be asked to contribute in that area and everywhere else. That means the 6-foot-8 center will need to do better than the 6.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.0 block per game he put up for Abra in the MPBL.
Indeed, the pressure’s on for Geo Chiu. And the Dyip are banking on him to step up in a big way.
