Recounting his rookie days when he was a benchwarmer and was given a few minutes playing time, celebrity-athlete Chris Tiu encouraged student-athletes to work hard in their game at the opening of the 32nd NOPSSCEA Season yesterday at the Colegio San Agustin-Bacolod Gym.

Tiu, former team captain of the UAAP men’s basketball champion team Ateneo Blue Eagles, said he needed to put in an extra effort and practice a lot since he is not a naturally-gifted player.

The times he spent on the bench watching his team play on crucial games strengthened his resolve to work harder in order to get better, Tiu said.

“Sportsmanship, discipline, teamwork, honesty, and the ability to rise above adversity are just among the values we learn from sports,” Tiu said.

He told the athletes that success will only come to those who are willing to sacrifice and are dedicated to their field.

“Put your heart and mind into something that you want to do and it can be done,” Tiu said, as he encouraged all NOPSSCEA athletes to strike a balance between their studies and their game.

“Play hard, make new friends, and enjoy the game,” he told them.

Tiu, who was recently drafted into the Philippine Basketball Association, will play for the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters when the league opens in two weeks time.

The 27-year-old Tiu studied BS Management Engineering and Minor in Chinese Studies at Ateneo de Manila University while being a key player of the Eagles from 2003 to 2008.

He was part of the UAAP men’s champion team in 2008 with Bacoleño Noy Baclao as one of his teammates.

Tiu was a two-time UAAP Mythical 5 and All-Star Player and won twice the UAAP-NCAA 3-point shootout King title.

As a TV personality, he hosted the GMA 7 shows Pinoy Records with boxing icon Manny Pacquiao from 2007 to 2010, Ripleys Believe it Or Not, Hanepbuhay, and Ibilib. He was also seen in TV 5 as host of Ako Mismo.

Recenlty, AKTV announced of a segment program on sports to be hosted by Tiu, as an anaylyst/panelist/commentator for the PBA.

Tiu also served as Sangguniang Kabataan chairman of Makati from 2001 to 2007 and initiated various programs such as sports clinics and tournaments, arts and crafts seminars, and outreach activities.

He serves as Barangay Kagawad in Makati as a Senior Council Member and was tasked to handle the Committee on Education, Sports and Culture.

Meanwhile, the 32nd NOPSSCEA Season opening rites at the CSA-B gym yesterday was joined by student-athletes from its 60-member schools.

Sports events contested by the participating schools are athletics, badminton, basketball, beach volleyball, chess, football, karatedo, lawn tennis, sepak takraw, swimming, table tennis, and taekwondo.

Earlier, Sports Task Force chairman Anthony Carlo Agustin noted that the schools have put in a lot of effort in improving their respective teams.

He said the tournament managers and tournament commissioners assigned in the different events have already submitted the schedule games and competitions in badminton, chess, lawn tennis, and volleyball will start this weekend. Games in men’s basketball started ahead last week to give the champion team enough time to prepare for the Philippine Collegiate Championship League regional finals set in Dumaguete next month.*NAB

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