By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Geo Chiu will no longer play for the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) Blue Eagles once the upcoming UAAP Men’s Basketball tournament kicks off this year.
During a scheduled game of the 2024 Asian Tournament held at the City of Passi Arena in Iloilo, Chiu was seen suiting up for the Taiwan Mustangs against the Zamboanga Valientes on May 21, 2024.
The surprising event added to the Blue Eagles’ woes as they are currently in a state of rebuilding after another failed UAAP title run.
With the absence of Chiu in the next UAAP season, the Blue Eagles will have a tough time replenishing their frontcourt following the departure of Kai Ballungay from the Ateneo program several months ago.
Aside from Chiu and Ballungay, the Ateneo men’s basketball program also lost the services of guard Jared Brown and veteran swingman Jason Credo who also decided to enter the professional level.
Chiu was poised to play a bigger role in this year’s UAAP season but his stint with the Taiwan Mustangs will make him ineligible to return as a collegiate player.
A former UAAP champion with Ateneo, Chiu was a valuable member during their title run after providing stability in the shaded lane as a young backup to Ange Kouame.
Chiu’s skills then further improved after getting selected as a member of the Tab Baldwin-mentored Gilas Pilipinas team that made an impressive run at the FIBA level three years ago.
Now that Chiu will no longer wear the Ateneo jersey, coach Baldwin and his coaching staff will most likely conduct another player search as the off-season still continues.
