First cager feted: Tiu TOYM awardee for youth leadership

Games today (MOA Arena)

5:45 p.m. – Barako Bull vs Talk n Text

8 p.m. – Globalport vs San Mig Coffee

MANILA, Philippines - PBA officials yesterday hailed Chris Tiu as the Rain or Shine stalwart made history as the first basketball player ever to be recipient of the prestigious TOYM (The Outstanding Young Men) award.

The former skipper of the Ateneo Blue Eagles and the original Gilas Pilipinas team was among the TOYM honorees for 2013, getting the recognition in the field of youth leadership development.

The other 2013 awardees were Emerson Atanacio (social entrepreneurship), June Cheryl Cabal-Revilla (community service), Nicole Paula Curato (sociology), Custer Deocaris (science communication), Miguel Rene Dominguez (government, public service), Alonzo Gabriel (food science, technology) and Paolo Silva (medicine).

Tiu was only the 15th athlete to make the roster of honorees in this awards considered the country’s most prestigious recognition for young men and women with contributions to the country.

“I feel very grateful and humbled for being recognized by the most prestigious and reputable giving body in the country,” said Tiu. “I honestly never thought that I would ever be labeled among the finest individuals in the 54-year history of the TOYM.”

Tiu said this would inspire him further to pursue excellence and be of service to the community in all his endeavors.

He thanked Smart Gilas, Rain or Shine and the PBA for giving him the opportunity to exercise leadership and inspire the youth through the game of basketball.

Since TOYM award was first handed out in 1959, other athletes recognized were Gabriel “Flash” Elorde in 1960, tennis player Johnny Jose (1960), car driver Dodjie Laurel (1964), chess player Eugene Torre (1974), bowler Paeng Nepomuceno (1978), boxer Luisito Espinosa (1989), swimmer Eric Buhain (1991), sprint runner Lydia de Vega (1992), long jumper Elma Muros (1995), boxer Onyok Velasco (1996), golfer Dorothy Delasin (2001), boxer Manny Pacquiao (2004), mountain-climber Romy Garduce (2006) and booter Chieffy Caligdong (2012).

PBA commissioner Chito Salud, Rain or Shine co-owner Raymond Yu and coach Yeng Guiao were among those who gave tribute to Tiu.

“Chris brings immense honor to the sporting community in general and the PBA in particular for having been given this award and recognition. Chris epitomizes the athlete role model for the youth that PBA would like to see each and every one of its players to embrace,” said Salud.

“On behalf of the PBA family, I congratulate him for his tremendous achievement and thank him for the energy, commitment and passion this recognition will bring to his fellow PBA players as they all contribute their share to youth development,” Salud added.

“We’re proud to have Chris as part of the Rain or Shine team. He is a good role model for kids and aspiring basketball players,” said Yu.

“We are proud of him. He deserves the award because of a personal commitment to keep improving and make a difference to the people around him. Even if he comes from a privileged background, he remains humble and grounded. Our team is lucky to benefit from his company and leadership,” said Guiao.

A pro player, TV host, commercial model and businessman, Tiu has been recipient of several awards including the 2008 Nickolodeon Philippines Kids’ Choice Awards, 2008 Loyola School Awards for Leadership and Service, Lingkod TV Awards and the ASEAN Youth Day Awards.

Meanwhile, Talk n Text and Globalport try to sustain their charge in the upper half of the chart as they face struggling Barako Bull and San Mig Coffee, respectively, tonight in the PLDT MyDSL PBA Philippine Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.