Sorry ladies, Chris Tiu is already married

MANILA – It’s confirmed: basketball heartthrob and television host Chris Tiu tied the knot with his long-time girlfriend in a private wedding ceremony in Vancouver.

A reliable source, who refused to be named, made the confirmation to ABS-CBNnews.com on Wednesday.

“Yes, he got married last month in Vancouver to his long-time GF,” the source said.

Tiu’s first and only girlfriend, investment banker Clarisse Ong, studied in Vancouver for college and “grew up there for a time,” said the source, which explains the decision for them to get married in the Canadian city.

They have been a couple since Tiu was in third-year high school.

According to the source, Tiu is planning to let the public know about his marriage to Ong when the PBA season ends.

Tiu, a former member of the Philippine team Smart Gilas, is currently part of the Rain or Shine PBA basketball team.

“It’s no secret naman. He will be happy to tell you,” the source said.

Rumors swirled last month about Tiu tying the knot with Ong in a so-called secret wedding.

Citing a source, Rey Lachica of Manila Bulletin reported on Tuesday that Tiu held a wedding party in Makati over the weekend, inviting only close family members and friends.

In an interview with the entertainment website Pep.ph last year, Tiu hinted that he is already considering the idea of settling down with Ong.

“Siyempre, may plano ka in the next two years siguro, pero wala pang timetable talaga,” he said at the time.

But he was quick to add: “We’ll play it by ear. Pero sa ngayon, wala munang immediate plan.”

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Chris Tiu recalls encounter with Jeremy Lin

MANILA, Philippines – About two or three years ago, athlete-TV host Chris Tiu had the opportunity to play in a pick-up game against Jeremy Lin, the NBA’s latest breakout star.

“We were in Las Vegas with Smart-Gilas [the Philippines’ national men’s basketball team]. We were training in a camp there and at the same time, at the same venue, nandu’n din sila nagpa-practice...

“I think at the time, they were about to join the NBA draft. So they were preparing for the NBA draft, ‘yung mga prospective rookies nagte-training din do’n,” Tiu related in a taped interview aired on “24 Oras” on Feb. 15.

He admitted that he wasn’t able to see “anything super spectacular” from Lin then, but added that his injury may have had affected his performance.

Lin is the first American of Taiwanese descent to play in the NBA. Previously “overlooked” and "undervalued," he had been making waves in the professional US basketball league scene over the last few weeks for guiding the New York Knicks to their now seven-game winning streak. Lin joined the team on December last year and made his winning first game only on Feb. 4 against the New Jersey Nets.

Tiu expresses his admiration for the Harvard-educated player.

“Jeremy, of course he can score. But ‘yung talagang kakaiba sa kanya is his ability to create [opportunities] for his team mates. Ang galing niya pumasa, fast break, or ‘pag dum-rive siya.

“Oo magaling siya mag-assist, and para sa ‘kin ‘yun talaga ‘yung hinahanap ko sa mga players,” Tiu shared.

He added, “’Yung kanyang faith in God, I think it’s something that… I mean, that was one of the main reasons why he was able to succeed despite everything he went through.”

source: mb.com.ph