Shaun Geoffrey Chiu, the tallest rookie aspirant this year, was chosen top overall by the Terrafirma Dyip in the 2025 PBA Season 50 Rookie Draft on Sunday afternoon at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The 6-foot-10 center, a former Ateneo Blue Eagle in the UAAP, admitted he was caught off guard by the selection but expressed gratitude for the opportunity.
“I am still shocked. This is something every kid has dreamt of, and I am thankful for this opportunity. I am just thankful to Terrafirma for trusting me,” Chiu said in a televised interview.
“I will just do whatever they ask me to do. Hopefully, I will be able to help the team get some wins and have a great season,” added Chiu, who also suited up as an Asian Quota Player for Japan’s Ehime Orange Vikings.
Chiu’s drafting came a day after the PBA Board of Governors ratified a new rule regarding the No. 1 pick. Effective September 3, the top overall selection cannot be traded until after two full seasons. The move is intended to provide stability and allow teams ample time to develop their cornerstone players.
With the new rule in place, Chiu is assured of staying with the Dyip until at least Season 52, giving Terrafirma a longer window to build around him.
Meanwhile, the Converge FiberXers, as widely expected, selected Filipino-Spanish guard Juan Gomez de Liaño with the No. 2 pick to strengthen their already loaded backcourt.
The Blackwater Bossing took Filipino-Italian guard Dalph Panopio at No. 3, while the NorthPort Batang Pier went with Chris Koon at No. 4.
