Tiu, 4 other nationals may join PBA draft

CHRIS Tiu, easily the most popular cager outside the Philippine Basketball Association, and the rest of the members of the Smart Gilas-Pilipinas national squad, are now on the crossroads of their career whether to turn pro or continue serving the country.

The skipper of the national squad seeking for a berth in the basketball competitions of the 2012 London Olympics via the FIBA Asia Men’s Basketball Championship, met with Powerade board governor JB Baylon recently at the Sentro 1771 in Greenbelt, Makati.

But Baylon clarified that Tiu remains uncertain whether to continue playing for flag and country or take the next big step in his basketball career by entering this year’s PBA Rookie Draft in August.

“I could only hope he will join,” said Baylon when asked whether Tiu has already decided to turn pro. “But we just had coffee and had a casual conversation.”

Baylon reiterated that playing for the national team remains to be Tiu’s priority.

“Chris is committed to playing for flag and country so the national team is his priority,” added Baylon. “But he will weigh all his options and decide in due course.”

But Tiu isn’t the only one under the radar of Baylon, whose squad will have two first-round picks and two second-round picks this year.

“It might be Chris Tiu (if he enters the draft), JV Casio, Chris Lutz or James Martinez,” added Baylon.