Gian Chiu is known as the Gentle Giant. Although fierce in size at 6-foot-7, the 18-year old is kind at heart. The Desert Christian senior moved to the United States just two years ago, leaving his family in the Philippines to pursue both his love for basketball, as well as education.
Chiu is a true Student-Athlete. He maintains a 4.65 grade point average, and just helped several of his teammates earn an academic trip to Washington, DC. His parents raised him to put school first, basketball second. And although he's achieved success on the court as the Conquerors leading scorer, his dream is to help others by becoming a doctor.
Chiu was noticed on the basketball courts of his home country by a scout from the NBA's Golden State Warriors. That scout is friends with Desert Christian Assistant Basketball Coach Vern Vegso, and together they helped arrange for Chiu to come to Desert Christian. CIF transfer rules dictated Chiu sit play on the JV team his junior season, but he is making the most of his senior year as a Conqueror.
IN HUDDLE
Former Eaglet now soars in ‘Desert High’
By Beth Celis
Inquirer
Last updated 06:56am (Mla time) 02/18/2007
MANILA, Philippines -- Although FIBA secretary general Patrick Baumann hinted during the BAP-SBP Unity Congress that the lifting of the Fiba ban on the Philippines would be automatic as soon as the new national sport association is recognized by the Philippine Olympic Committee, BAP-SBP vice chairman Ricky Vargas said it will have to go through a process.
“The FIBA has its own process. We sent a letter the other night to Patrick with the attached POC accreditation and based on Baumann’s statements, the lifting should happen sooner than later. SBP has complied with all the requirements,” Ricky explained.
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I’m sure some of you, basketball fanatics, who follow the UAAP Juniors games remember Gian Chiu who used to play for the Ateneo Eaglets.
I don’t know how tall Gian was back then, but he is now described as “a hair over 6’7 tall and weighs 225 lbs.” It was Henry Abes of Gameface who gave me the piece on Gian, which he culled from the website.
Gian Chiu, he said, is the biggest hit at the Desert Christian High School in Bermuda Dunes today, both on and off the court.
Chiu leads the Desert Christian Conquerors in scoring, blocks and rebounds and is part of Desert Christian’s top-ranked academic team that will head to national competition in Washington DC this Spring.
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On his first year at La Quinta, Chiu did not immediately see action and had to await his turn on account of a CIF rule that the school had to follow.
At Desert Christian, he immediately made waves, impressing his coach Don Curci.
“Last year our team was 1-11 (win-loss), now we’re 10-3 and Gian is a big part of that. He averages 15.2 ppg and 11.3 rpg,” said Curci.
“He’s been a good addition to the student body both athletically and academically. He’s a gentle giant but his main forte is his smarts. He’s a straight A student, very organized and is always on top of things.”
Gian, who has been raised by his parents to excel both in academics and athletics, is currently ranked No. 3 in class.
His long term goal is to become a doctor.
“I like the science field and look at it as an opportunity to use my talent and ability to help others. I just find it interesting and see it as a challenge,” Chiu said.
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Curci foresees Gian achieving both his athletic and academic goals.
“Basketball practice begins around 5 p.m., but when the school bell rings at the end of the day, Chiu doesn’t hang around the lockers or take off with friends for fast food and fun. Chiu’s usually buried in his books in an outside cafeteria-style table,” Curci said.
Chiu helped his three other teammates as part of Desert Christian’s academic team win top honors at Coachella Valley Academic Worldquest hosted by World Affairs Council of the Desert, earning a trip to Washington DC for the national tournament.
As the smallest school that competed, they were able to take home the biggest prize.
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Scribe Ignacio Dee sends us this progress report on his friend, associate and idol Florencio Campomanes, who is currently recuperating at the Antolya Anadolu Hospital following a vehicular accident:
“He has been transferred from the ICU to a regular room, but still needs assistance to walk. He wants to go home to celebrate his 80th birthday, but health insurance won’t allow him.”
Not too long ago, Campo was in traction with a head, neck and chest brace due to multiple cervical spine fractures and was under heavy sedation. He is now getting treatment for post-trauma depression.
According to Campo’s doctors, very active people usually cannot stand long periods of immobility.
Campo is one of the very few octagenarians who has maintained good health.
Source:
http://www.cbstv2.com/Global/story.a...&nav=menu412_4
click lang nnyo ang videos sa site....
Gian Chui first Pinoy in the NBA?
Originally Posted by slakker
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