Geo Chiu may have been "announced" to be staying with Abra, but signing with Terrafirma remains a possibility. MPBL (file photo)
By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA—Is Geo Chiu staying put with Abra?

That is what a video from basketball vlogger Mark Sanoy implied when it made rounds over the weekend.

Sanoy took a video of Abra representative JB Bernos, also the Weavers' team owner, seemingly announcing during their victory party that the 6-foot-10 center is likely joining them once more for next year's MPBL title defense.

"[Geo] is deciding to stay with the Abra Weavers," Bernos said.

Interestingly enough, Bernos' declaration came three months after Chiu was drafted into the PBA.

Terrafirma, which took him first overall, had to wait for Chiu to finish his duties with Abra first before they could take him into their fold.

In an interview with Dugout Philippines right after the Weavers clinched the MPBL championship on Dec. 16 against the Quezon Huskers in Lucena, Chiu said that, as of last week, the Dyip have been patient about his situation.

"They've been waiting for me naman," Chiu said.

Since Abra still had to play on the eve of Terrafirma's last PBA Philippine Cup game against San Miguel, Chiu cannot be activated PBA-wise in time.

However, talks have reportedly begun between Chiu and the Dyip.

Being the top pick of the draft, he is eligible to sign the PBA veteran maximum of ₱420,000 per month.

Terrafirma is reportedly willing to give Chiu that much monthly salary, which could be enough to pry him away from Abra. 

The former Ateneo Blue Eagle can only go Dyip green by the PBA Commissioner's Cup, which could either start by late February or early March, depending on how the league will structure the off days after the Philippine Cup finals ahead of Gilas Pilipinas' home stand in the second window of the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers on Feb. 26 and March 1 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.

However, this also means the Weavers have two months to convince Chiu to keep on wearing blue and re-sign with them.

For now, whether he stays in Bangued or finally dons a green jersey, Chiu will focus on strengthening himself ahead of more physical plays down low.

"I'll do work on my confidence and my body. That's my biggest project right now," he said.

As he celebrates the Christmas season with his family, Chiu must be thinking about where to sign next.