Chris Tiu returns from calf injury
FILE – Rain or Shine guard Chris Tiu goes for a layup against San Miguel Beer’s Marcio Lassiter. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Rain or Shine veteran guard Chris Tiu made his quiet return Sunday night from a calf injury that had sidelined him for more than a month.
The 5-foot-11 guard recorded six markers on 50 percent shooting from the field, to go along with two assists in nearly 16 minutes of play.
Though Tiu said he’s still hurting, it didn’t show while he was on the floor.
The former Ateneo star said he felt inspired and wanted to help the team win for Rain or Shine matriarch Margaret “Mommy” Yu, the mother of ROS co-owner Raymond Yu who passed away on Christmas Eve.
“Mommy Yu has been the heart and soul of this Rain or Shine franchise ever since the Welcoat days. She’s been extremely supportive of the basketball team,” Tiu fondly recalls after the Elasto Painters’ 97-82 beating of Phoenix at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday.
The former Gilas captain has had moments with the elder Yu that he will never forget as a proud member of the E-Painters
“She used to call us before every game. She would call us personally when she was still healthy, reminding us to always play hard and play together. That’s how involved she was,” bared the 31-year-old Tiu.
With the passing of Yu considered to be the driving force of the team since the PBL days, Tiu vows to go hard every game in her honor as well as for the whole Yu family.
“We want to dedicate not just this game but also the remainder of schedule this conference for Mommy Yu and for her family that has been so supportive of the team.” Onofre John Andres
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