San Miguel Beermen bank on 32-year-old rookie Chris Miller’s experience for championship push

At 32 years old, Christopher Miller may not fit the usual mold of a PBA first-round pick, but for the San Miguel Beermen, his age and international pedigree are exactly what make him valuable.

Chosen ninth overall in the 2025 PBA Draft, Miller became one of the rare veteran rookies to be welcomed by the league’s most decorated franchise. 

While his selection surprised some observers—given that he was absent from most first-round mock drafts—San Miguel saw in him something the numbers couldn’t capture: maturity, composure, and the kind of experience that fits seamlessly into a championship mindset.

Miller’s basketball journey spans more than a decade across Bosnia, Canada, Germany, and the United States, giving him a unique global lens that few PBA newcomers possess. 

That wealth of exposure, combined with his recent strong performance at the Draft Combine where he topped the Three-Point Shootout and helped Team D1-San Miguel reach the final, underscored his readiness to compete at the highest level of Philippine basketball.

#WATCH: Chris Miller is ready to bring more wins to San Miguel’s winning culture

@justinebacnis/ Tiebreaker Times#PBA50 pic.twitter.com/C49dTsuU3A

— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) September 7, 2025

For San Miguel head coach Leo Austria and his staff, it wasn’t about drafting a long-term project—it was about securing a player who could contribute immediately and understand the demands of a team accustomed to winning. 

“Kung sino ang matapat sa amin, ang best available talent, yun na ang kukunin namin,” said the long-time PBA coach. 

The Salem University product’s words reflect the very attitude the Beermen prize: readiness to buy into the system, a willingness to play his role, and a clear understanding that winning comes first. 

“Anytime you can come to a league and be expected to compete for a championship is great,” Miller said. “Whatever role that they want me to do I’ll be very happy with. And I understand that they have a winning culture, so I just wanna add to that.”

For Miller, age is not a limitation—it is proof of survival and adaptability in a competitive sport. And for San Miguel, that makes him a rookie who can bring the perspective of a veteran, a rare commodity in the PBA Draft. 

OKBET is Asia’s most trusted and popular online sports gaming platform. Visit us on OKBET to stay up to date with all sports news from around the world.

Don’t miss out on the latest sports news, updates, and fan discussions!

Follow our Facebook page today and join the community of passionate basketball fans.