After much speculation, Charles Tiu has been officially named the new head coach of the Phoenix Fuel Masters in the PBA.
Tiu, of course, is no stranger to the PBA as he previously served as assistant coach with the Converge FiberXers last season. He will be taking over the reins for Willy Wilson, who was appointed as Phoenix coach just prior to the PBA Philippine Cup of Season 50. Wilson led the Fuel Masters to a 3-8 record in his lone conference as head coach.
Charles Tiu Brings a Winning Pedigree to Phoenix
Tiu will be bringing over to Phoenix a winning pedigree marked by strong campaigns for the College of St. Benilde Blazers in the NCAA and chamionships in various leagues.
The 37-year-old Tiu, in particular, has built and helmed a consistent title contender with Benilde in the NCAA. Tiu first assumed head coaching duties at Taft in 2021, and he guided the Blazers to the Final Four four times in five seasons. In two of those five seasons, the Blazers advanced to the Finals.
Aside from a relatively successful stint at Benilde so far, Tiu has also won championships as coach in the Dubai International Basketball Championship in 2020, in the Republica Cup in 2018, and in the William Jones Cup (2019 and 2024).
Charles Tiu will make his PBA coaching debut in the Commissioner’s Cup.
Serving More Than Two Masters at Once
After the official announcement, Tiu went to X and said he still intends to coach the Blazers in Season 102, seemingly hinting that he will be taking on both the head coaching duties for Phoenix in the PBA and Benilde NCAA all at once.
“Truly Excited and humbled to be joining the Phoenix Fuel Masters, but not leaving Benilde at all. I repeat, there is no Benilde Exit. I intend to coach both teams, and whatever ‘title/position’ is irrelevant to me,” Tiu wrote on X.
At the moment, reports say Tiu will be “relegated” to an active consultant role in Benilde as the PBA has traditionally barred such dual-coaching setups, while the NCAA outright bans it. There is, in fact, a precedent that also happens to involve CSB: Last year, the NCAA barred Benilde Lady Blazers coach Yerry Yan from assuming double duty for CSB in the collegiate ranks and for the Zus Coffee Thunderbells in the PVL.
A Calculated Risk?
While Charles Tiu, Phoenix, and Benilde sort things out, it is fair to ask if the former Converge FiberXers assistant coach, who is also businessman, a model and a sports anchor for a Philippine media outlet, has bitten of more than he can chew.
There’s no questioning Tiu’s brilliant basketball mind as the results speak for themselves. However, juggling all of these many responsibilities is sure to bring its own set of challenges and could even be counterproductive in the long run.
Needless to say, Charles Tiu is entering uncharted territory now.
