CHRIS TIU: THE JOHN STOCKTON OF ASIA

At first, you may find the comparison absurd. One is a young and tiny Filipino point guard of the National team and other, an American hoops hall-of-famer. I am referring to Chris Tiu of Smart Gilas Team Pilipinas and John Stockton, the retired ex-Utah Jazz and University of Gonzaga great. If you are following the games of Smart Gilas in the ongoing 22nd FIBA Asia Champions Cup, you would have noticed what I am trying to point out. The way Tiu handles the backcourt chores of the Nationals, the way he defends, and the court instincts that he have, all resembles the game of Stockton. He even have the choir boy looks just like the 6-2 partner of Karl Malone in Salt Lake City. He looks harmless on the court and just like Stockton, looks can be deceiving. He is a feisty kind of guard who would not back down from a rebound play even against opponents a foot taller than him, truly a Stocktonesque trait. Meet Chris Tiu, the John Stockton of Asia!