2026 PBA Draft top pick Geo Chiu embraces rebuild role as Terrafirma prepares for Commissioner’s Cup

Fresh from a championship run but stepping into a completely different challenge, Geo Chiu is entering the next phase of his basketball journey with measured optimism as he prepares for his debut in the Philippine Basketball Association Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup.

The 6-foot-10 rookie will suit up for the Terrafirma Dyip for the first time after completing his commitments with the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League, where he helped power the Abra Weavers to their first-ever title. From leading a championship squad to joining a franchise trying to escape the bottom of the standings, Chiu understands that the transition will test both his mindset and development. 

Instead of dwelling on the contrast, the No. 1 overall pick is choosing to view the situation as an opportunity for growth.

When asked about the adjustment from playing for a winning MPBL squad to joining a rebuilding PBA team, Chiu said, “Ako naman po, ineenjoy ko naman po (na nasa PBA ako). Like what you said, our team, we’re struggling. Pero siguro for me, I see it in a positive way naman. Since we are struggling, there’s so much room for improvement and for us to get better.”

“Hindi naman po namin siya ni-rurush. We just take it one game at a time, one practice at a time. And I can see naman na the team is really working. So hopefully, itong season po, mawala na po ‘yung stigma na puro kami sa baba.”

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Geo Chiu will naturally accept the reported 3-year max contract offer from Smc/Terrafarma or he’ll expeditiously be banned for 3 years.

No disrespect but giving him the max with mediocre Mpbl averages of 6 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 1 bpg as a PBA no.1 pick at 24-yo isn’t exactly ingenious.

— PBA insider (@PBAinsider) December 30, 2025

Chiu’s arrival comes with expectations, not only because he was the top selection in the draft but also due to his defensive presence developed during his collegiate run with the Ateneo Blue Eagles. However, the rookie admits that his role with Terrafirma is already larger than what he previously handled.

“’Yung role ko naman po, mainly is just to defend, get rebounds. ‘Yung offense naman po, parang bonus lang po ‘yun. But I’m working on it. ‘Yung role ko dito, medyo malaki nga po siya than what I’m used to but ‘yung mga coaches ko naman po, they really help me a lot. They just help me change my mindset. And so far naman, they’ve been helping me so much. I just need to gain more confidence na po talaga,” said Chiu.

Early tune-up games have already provided a glimpse of the level of competition awaiting him. Chiu logged minutes against the Converge FiberXers and later faced the physical frontline of the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, experiences that highlighted the gap between collegiate and professional play.

While his performances were respectable, the rookie big man believes those outings reinforced the need for further development, particularly in strength and consistency against elite competition.

“Ako naman po, nakikita ko na mayroong pang kailangan i-work on sa sarili ko. Siyempre ‘yung mga nakakalaban po natin dito sa PBA, the best of the best… They are really dominant. So ako, I have to work on myself to get stronger.

“Everything, so far good naman po kasi positive naman po siya. I get to see what I need to work on,” said Chiu.

For Chiu, the Commissioner’s Cup will not just be about statistics or immediate results—it will be about helping reshape a team identity while carving out his own place in the league. Coming from a championship environment, he now carries that experience into a franchise hoping to build one of its own.

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