After missing their first three games of the season due to the removal of bone spurs in his left ankle, Jeff Chan has finally returned to the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, Saturday night.
Chan saw action for the crowd darlings versus the Columbian Dyip for 20 minutes and 17 seconds. He collected two points, two assists, and a rebound against two turnovers.
It was a return that Chan would savor. Ginebra churned out an impressive performance in front of their fans at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, and walked away with the 97-85 victory.
“Masaya naman kahit papano nakatulong konti, at panalo,” expressed the 11-year veteran.
On the other hand, Ginebra head coach Tim Cone is happy to have the Negros sniper back. Chan was supposed to play last Saturday in Calasiao versus Rain or Shine, but it didn’t push through.
The Gin Kings lost to the Elasto Painters, 80-83.
“He was close to playing last game. But at the last minute, because it was an out-of-town court –something we were not familiar one-hundred-percent with – we decided to hold him off for one more week.
“Sayang we lost that game. He might have been a difference-maker. But we’re happy to have him now,” Cone said.
But as happy as he is with the fantastic welcome in his first game back, Chan pointed out that he still has a lot of work to do, particularly in getting back his feel for the game.
The 35-year-old said he was gasping for air when he ran up and down the court.
“Medyo nangangapa pa. Medyo matagal nabakante tsaka siyempre, wala pa sa top shape talaga. Mga seventy to eighty percent pa lang ako eh. May konti pa ring pain, so sinusubukan ko lang,” admitted the three-time champion.
“Tsaka yung hingal ko mabilis pa ‘ko mapagod, na parang ang bigat pa ng katawan ko. Parang ang tagal ko nawala sa game.”
Now, Chan hopes to regain his form as the 2019 Philippine Cup goes along. Ginebra still have seven games left to play in the elimination round, and that may be enough time for him to get back.
“So hopefully nga, as we play our games, bumalik yung rhythm.”
