By Patrick Valentin, BS ME 2010

Now that I’m about to graduate, I guess it’s just normal to start reminiscing about the four years of my stay here at the Ateneo. I look back at all the hardships my batchmates and I had to go through to stay in ME, and of course I also look back at all the wonderful memories I had with the best block ever, T2BBE. But before this article turns to be an emo blog entry, let me share with all of you an article that was published at the MEAonline.org back when I was still a freshie. The article below is a Know Your MEAn article written by Maron Reyes (ME 2007) about Chris Tiu (ME 2007). The interviewers were senior MEAns Maron Reyes, Rickett Cruz, Aaron Salvador, and 2006-2007 MEA President Michael Chong. Just to put things in perspective, it was the 69^th season of the UAAP, where Ateneo emerged rank one after the elimination rounds. We all know what happened in the end, but that’s not the point haha. Anyway, enjoy reading!

***

Written by Maron Reyes, Meaonline.org
Last Updated ( Thursday, 14 September 2006 )

Everybody Loves Chris

Pardon the five-week hiatus. Know Your MEAn is back with a vengeance featuring no less than the fabled number 17, Christopher John Tiu – honor student, basketball legend, Sangguniang Kabataan chairman, gifted pianist and a macho gwapito at that. Chris is the perfect poster boy for Promil. For a guy who seems to have it all, Chris is surprisingly down-to-earth, signing autographs for fans and never turning down an interview despite his busy schedule. This model student is the type of guy every girl (or boy, whatever makes you happy) would like to bring home to mom. “Ma, meet Chris.” *Insert girly scream here* So what exactly does Chris do with his time? Let’s find out.

Maron: Ateneo is doing fine in the UAAP. What’s your secret this year?

Chris: Teamwork. Teamwork talaga kasi wala naman talagang superstar. Pero may mga key players sila JC, Macky…

Maron: Ikaw?

Chris: Sige, pwede mo na rin isama.

Audience: Wohh

Chris: Supporting cast!

Maron: Babad ka nga ngayon e.

Chris: Pwede na pwede na. Pero yun nga wala talagang sumusuperstar unlike last year or the other year na meron talagang go-to-guy na 70% of the time nasa kanila yung bola. Mas madaling bantayan ng ganon. Stop one guy, stop the team. Teka ok lang ba Tagalog?

Maron: Please lang, ayoko nang ma-nose bleed.

Chris: Yun nga since walang superstar mas umiikot yung bola. Tapos sa defense naman wala talagang shotblocker like Japeth na sobrang tangkad. Kahit makalusot yung kalaban mapapalpal pa rin sa likod. Kaya ‘yun, forced to play individual defense kami lahat. Nandun na din yung team effort sa defense.

Maron: So anong nafoforesee nyo na malaking stumbling block ng Ateneo ngayon sa UAAP?

Chris: Ngayon? I think more of kalaban namin yung sarili namin. Kailangan namin mamaintain yung intensity sa practices. Saka on and off the court, staying healthy, getting up early tapos managing your time para condition sa game. Tapos yun, maintaining focus tapos wag magrelax talaga. Kasi yung mga teams nag-aadjust yan e. Nakita na nila kung pano maglaro Ateneo. Wala naman talaga kaming binabago sa strategy, so ganun. Yun lang naman yung philosophy ni coach Norman e. Sabi nga nya sa NBA, “In playoffs you play a team seven times but they don’t change their plays. They don’t change their strategies. It’s all about execution.” Siguro it is one thing that we execute well, pero kailangan din namin mag-adjust kahit papaano for certain things like pag nag-adjust sila ng defense nila. Kasi before nga we were 7-0, kailan ba yun? 2 years ago.

Maron: Ah oo, nung andun pa si Larry…

Chris: Tapos nun hindi na kami naka-adjust sa ibang teams… so downhill. Ngayon kailangan na lang namin i-maintain yung intensity and motivation ng team tapos be able to adjust also to what the opponent gives you.

Rickett: Ako may tanong.

Maron: O sige, Rickett. Ask.

Rickett: How does it feel to play in UAAP this year na wala yung La Salle?

Chris: Well for one, wala na mga sponsors. Wala nang Nestea “Smile of the Day”. Tapos yung court… Ninoy Aquino, diba? Mga little factors. Pero hindi ko alam, baka ngayon yung mga sponsors nagsisi kasi kita nila bumebenta naman yung mga tickets.

Maron: Maganda nga mga games so far.

Chris: Hindi mo alam sinong mananalo, diba?

Maron: Daming ngang nail-biters ng Ateneo ngayon…

Chris: Exciting talaga.

Maron: Although ngayon wala na tayong inaabangan na laro.

Chris: Oo, wala nang La Salle. Hindi mo masisigurado na may game na puno talaga yung Araneta. Wala na yung feeling na ganon. Pag pasok mo talagang blue and green, tapos nagcheecheer pa mga tao. Parang nangingilabot ka tapos gaganahan ka na rin. Although meron pa rin pero hindi na ganon ka-intense.

Maron: How does it feel to be under coach Norman’s wing?

Chris: He’s a very professional coach e. Parang tatay sa team.

Maron: Nagtatagalog ba si coach Norman?

Chris: Pasundot-sundot na mga words. Halo e. Mga ano ba? Hindi ko maisip e. English tapos bigla s’yang magsisingit ng Tagalog na may accent. Nakakaaliw din e. Siguro naririnig n’yo naman s’ya pag nagcocomment s’ya sa TV.

Maron: “Malakas ang ta-lon.” Akala mo eagle yung dinidescribe e. Talon. Hahaha. Paborito nya pa namang sabihin yun.

Chris: Pero talagang professional s’ya. Ano, ine-emphasize n’ya talaga yung role ng bawat player sa team. Parang ako role ko tumira sa labas para ma-open yung loob. Kasi kung wala magcocollapse lang yung defense tapos mahihirapan sina JC at Macky. So yun yung role namin ni Jai.

Maron: May tanong pa ata tayo from our audience.

Rickett: Pano mo nababalance yung studies and sports?

Chris: Ano lang, kailangan lang na set your priorities straight. Kailangan i-plan out mo beforehand. Hindi pwede yung today hindi mo alam kung ano yung gagawin mo. Kailangan alam mo na yung gagawin mo tapos talagang siguraduhin mo na matatapos mo yung gagawin mo at that time.

Maron: So ano yun, nagtatago ka ng journal na parang 7am: take a shower for 10 minutes?

Chris: Sa utak ko lang, pero minsan sinusulat ko rin. Minsan yung plan mo one week before pa. Sacrifice din talaga. You need time for your friends, time for your family. Kailangan din talaga minsan magcompromise ka. Bawiin mo na lang in other ways, like pag off season dun bumawi ka. May extra time ka for your barkada, ganun. Maiintindihan naman nila yan e. Pag sa studies, yun yung mahirap. After a game minsan may long test.

Maron: Hindi ka na nakakaparty?

Chris: Wala. Syempre kailangan healthy rin, bawal alcohol sa system. Kailangan talaga healthy tayo. Tiyaga-tiyaga lang. Ganon, kung gusto mong maging basketball player in the future kailangan mong paghusayan sa UA para makilala ka ng mga scouts. Yun yung i-prioritize mo, kung hindi di aral ka muna.

Maron: Ano ba personal plan mo?

Chris: Syempre gusto natin both. Kaya hindi pa rin kinakalimutan yung responsibilities sa classroom. Ngayon naman medyo light load ako. Isa lang yung major subject so swerte rin na nag-JTA. Pagbalik ko naging ganito yung ayos ng sem ko. Pero syempre studies first tayo. Diba Ateneans studies first?

Maron: MEAns, for sure studies first… Pero nacoconsider mo ba sa future na maging PBA player? I mean, do you see yourself playing with the likes of Jimmy Alapag?

Chris: Honestly no, but then kung may opportunity, why not? I mean if there’s a really good offer that you can’t reject. Why not try it out for one or two years. Kung may gana ka, three years. Kasi kung magbabasketball ka naman, hanggang mga 30 plus lang tapos wala na. So habang kaya pa ng katawan mo, diba?

Chong: Ako may tanong: Ano masasabi dun sa sabi nila Sev Sarmenta and Boom na pwede ka daw nila i-hire as one of the game analysts? Are you open to that opportunity?

Chris: Analyst?

Maron: Parang sina Ronnie Magsanoc, TJ Manotoc… Parang Quinito Henson na laging parang kilala yung mga players personally tapos alam lahat pati yung favorite color nung bata. I mean, maririnig ba namin si Chris Tiu na nagcocomment on a game?

Chris: *Silence* Tough question. Mababasa nila e.

Maron: Onga. Pag nabasa nila to, “Uy, offer na tayo kay Chris.”

Chris: Secret. Secret muna yung sagot. Hindi ko napag-isipan yan e. Pero narinig ko yun sa replay yung sinabi na future captain of the industry or analyst, parang ganon.

Maron: So ano?

Chris: No comment!

Maron: Baka ipursue ka bigla, no?

Chong: Isa pa, as of now wala pang monicker si Chris Tiu.

Chris: Onga e.

Chong: Anong gusto mong monicker if ever?

Chris: Dati tinawag akong “Master.”

Maron: Master? Naman… Si JC nga baby rocket.

Chris: Rocket na lang, hindi na daw baby e.

Maron: A onga pala. E ano na si Macky?

Chris: Wala rin pala si Macky no…

Maron: Pano ba magkaroon? Si Jai meron e. Jai-namite. If ever anong ipeprefer mo?

Chris: Prefer?

Maron: (to audience) Bigyan n’yo nga ng monicker si Chris.

Chris: May nagsabi dati nakalimutan ko lang kung sino. Tiu-nami. *Laughs*

Maron: Chris Tiu-nami? Pwede pwede.

Chris: May nagsabi lang. Hindi ko alam, medyo baduy e.

Maron: Bakit Jai-namite, ok naman a.

Chris: Baka kasi insensitive sa events e. Nung time na ‘yun kaka-tsunami pa lang ata.

Maron: A onga, tragedy yan.

Chris: Yun nga e.

Maron: Laki ng sapatos mo Chris a. Ano shoe size mo?

Chris: Basketball shoes ko 12. Walking ko 11.

Maron: So ibig sabihin nyan malaki rin yung… paa mo?

Chris: *Laughs* Freshies ba magbabasa nito?

Maron: Paa naman e!

Chong: Wag na nga tong si Maron.

Rickett: Diba ever since SBP nagbabasketball ka na? Nakalaban pa kita e.

Chris: Ah, kalaban ko pa pala to si Rickett dati.

Maron: Hanggang ngayon Small Basketeer pa rin.

Rickett: Ever since malaking part na ang basketball sa life mo…

Maron: Cheesy nito…

Rickett: Hindi, teka, gaano kalaki effect sa ‘yo ng basketball? For instance paggising mo basketball agad iniisip mo or activities mo puro basketball.

Maron: Si Rickett kasi ata ganon e.

Chris: Oo minsan like ngayon lalo na pag may big game or kahit after a normal game. Minsan hindi ako makacontrate sa pag-aaral kasi iniisip mo talaga yung nangyari during the game, yung mga moves mo, yung mga mali mo, yung mga dapat mong gawin.

Maron: Diba may winning shot ka against Adamson?

Chris: Oo Adamson. Masaya yun.

Maron: Nakatulog ka ba nun?

Chris: Oo naman nakatulog ako pero medyo late yun. Hindi din ako makaaral ng maayos nun. Kasi nanggigil na ako nun e. Thirteen minutes lang ako nung game na yun. Gusto ko nang pumasok 3^rd quarter pa lang. Antagal. Hindi ko alam kung nakalimutan or kung ano talaga yung game plan. Nanggigil na kami ni Jai nun kasi hindi kami nagamit. Sabi ko titira na ako pagpasok ko. E tamang-tama pinasok na ako nung 30 second, yung last play. Napunta sakin tapos may split second. Tinira ko na. Hindi ko na nga inisip e. Pumasok, perfect.

Maron: Siguro pag-uwi mo ginagawa mo pa rin yung tira mo, “Chris Tiu for three… YES!”

Chris: Onga e.

Maron: Going back to your last season, marami atang gustong makaalam kung ano yung feeling mo nung namintis mo yung layup mo na libre?

Chris: A sa La Salle? La Salle pa sa lahat ng teams.

Maron: Kaya nga e.

Non: Magkaklase pa tayo nun! Ayaw dumaan sa cafeteria…

Chris: Oo badtrip ako nun. Kaya ayoko nang dumaan sa cafeteria, hindi ako makatingin sa taas e. Pero normally nangyayari naman talaga yan minsan, hindi mo maiiwasan. Down by ten nun, marami pang mangyayari sa game na yun. Hindi naman ibig sabihin na pag nashoot ko yun, mananalo na kami. Pero syempre, learning experience kasi that time hindi ko alam kung ikakanan ko or ikakaliwa ko kaya medyo naalanganin e. Pero at least ngayon dapat ano na, natuto na ako from there. Ngayon alam ko na dapat beforehand may set na kanan ba o kaliwa. Hindi indecisive diba? And I guess bawi na lang next game to redeem yourself.

Maron: Redeemed ka naman dun sa winning shot.

Chong: Magfififth year ka ba?

Maron: Yon ang money question.

Chris: Or sixth, actually may two playing years pa ako.

Maron: A talaga? Onga no, hindi ka kasi naglaro last year. So ano naconsider mo na ba yun?

Chris: Naconsider ko. Sabi ko nga kanina, habang bata pa diba? Until ilang taon lang naman tayo pwedeng magbasketball. PBL baka pwede pa, pero PBA medyo slim na yung chance. While I can still play, why not, diba? Ateneo masaya pa kasi commercialized kasi schoolmates mo andun pa, ganado lahat. Kasi pag PBA nakita mo medyo papetiks-petiks na, playing for the money na lang sila e. UAAP iba pa rin kasi you’re playing for your school, maraming nanonood tapos nandun yung suporta ng alumni talaga. Masaya. So yun, baka 2 more years.

Maron: (to audience) Gusto nyo bang magtanong about lovelife?

Chris: Wag na. Wag na lang.

Non: Baka maraming ma-type e.

Maron: Nasasama ba yon sa time management mo? Like 1 hour for lovelife?

Chris: Alam ni Aaron yun, yung mga time management tricks natin.

Non: Yung mga dirty tactics ni Chris…

Chris: Na natutunan ko from Aaron Salvador.

Non: Magugulat ka na lang sa mga Tagaytay getaway nito e.

Maron: 1 hour lang a, Tagaytay? Pano ‘yun?

Chris: Kailangan talaga i-set mo time mo. After school ano gagawin mo, magpapahinga ka or visit your girlfriend or aral or kung anong gusto mo. Pero try mong ibalance. Kung hindi mo magagawa ngayon, bawiin mo na lang next time, diba? Kailangang maging understanding yung girl syempre. Kung unreasonable sya saka hindi ka nya maintindihan na marami kang ginagawa saka kung ano yung priority mo ngayon, then she’s not for you.

Maron: So what exaclty do you look for in a partner?

Chris: Yun, yung sinabi ko kanina kailangan understanding s’ya. Kailangan magkaintindihan kayo. Kung andun nga lahat ng good qualities pero hindi kayo nagkakasundo pero walang chemistry, wala rin. Samahan n’yong dalawa yung pinakaimportante.

Maron: Ano ba perks kung UAAP player ka?

Chris: Ano parang athletic scholarships?

Maron: More on intangibles: favors, libreng parking slots…

Chris: Wala, sana nga meron e. Favors sa teachers… Sa akin naman pag alam ng teacher na player ka, dapat mas ipakita mo na hindi mo kailangan ng special treatment. Ayoko namang ma-stereotype na basketball player na jock.

Maron: Pero feel mo ba na may special treatment?

Chris: Wala rin. Perks mo lang yung pwede kang magtest earlier kung may conflict sa schedule.

Maron: So nakakaranas pa rin kayo ng F sa essay?

Chris: Oo naman. Actually dati nga may naexperience ako sa English kasi medyo subjective yun. Yung essay ko parehong-pareho with my classmate. Tapos grade ko one grade lower pa. Feeling ko na-stereotype nya ako na jock.

Maron: Outside of school naman, kunyari naglalakad ka, do people readily recognize you as “Ahh! Chris Tiu! Ahh!”

Chris: After game usually, paglabas ng dugout may mga nagpapapicture. Sa mall bihira naman e. Usually mga Ateneo gradeschool or mga anak ng alumni.

Maron: So may mga nagpapa-autograph na sayo?

Chris: Well, lahat naman ata ng players e.

Maron: So to end your interview, ano masasabi mo sa mga fellow MEAns natin? Parang tipong “Be school, stay in school,” mga ganong banat.

Chris: Enjoy lang yung college. ME mahirap talaga e. Learn to enjoy it, at the same time work hard, find meaning in what you’re doing.

Maron: Nakanamp…

Chris: Totoo yun, kasi kung hindi mo gusto yung ginagawa mo, wala kang motivation. So enjoy mo lang, work hard. It’ll pay off later. So ano pa ba… Yun lang.

There you have it ladies and gentlemen, Chris “Tiu-nami” Tiu. We’d also like to acknowledge the audience participation of Rickett Cruz, Michael Chong and Aaron Salvador on this particular installation.

So to all the adoring MEAns out there, remember to keep it here, on the only column that dares to come back from the dead, Know Your MEAn!

***

Eventually Chris stayed at the Ateneo for two more years until my junior year (2008), and together with the whole team bagged the Championship for Ateneo. That’s Chris Tiu for you – a true blue Atenean, and definitely a MEAn.