Frustration had been the first thing that came in mind for those who had seen Jeff Chan at the Mall of Asia Arena on Saturday evening. And nobody can’t blame the 34-year-old shooting guard for feeling that way.
The Phoenix Fuel Masters placed themselves on the verge of ending their three-game losing skid as they opened their match with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters with a 19-point lead. However, they still lost in the end, 106-108.
Same old, same old.
That has been the story of the Fuel Masters’ campaign in the 2018 Commissioner’s Cup. They lead big at first, only to fold in the end. And for Chan, who had 26 points in their recent loss, it’s truly frustrating.
“Yun yung nakakainis eh, ‘di kami natututo,” lamented the 10-year league veteran. “Parang everytime na humahabol sila ang ginagawa namin instead magstop binabawi kaagad sa offense. Nagmamadali kami.
“Kaya ang nagyayari, lalo sila nakakahabol. Malalaman namin lamang na pala sila,” he added.
“Maraming games na ganun eh. Nakakainis. Trabaho tayo ng first half and then after that second half, babawiin lang.”
Personally for Chan, what makes the loss even more stinging is the fact that he has yet to defeat his former team — the former national team gunner hasn’t beaten the Elasto Painters ever since being traded back in August of 2017.
Chan admitted that it’s tough to swallow, but he’s setting it aside totally. All that the sniper from Bacolod aims now is for he and the Fuel Masters to still make it into the playoffs, even if won’t be a comfortable spot anymore.
“We’re hoping talaga na yung last three games namin all out na kami. Kasi kung hindi medyo delikado talaga eh,” he said. “Chance namin now manalo ng dalawa, for playoff spot na lang yun. Mahirap talaga. Ngayon medyo frustrated lahat.
“We’ll see. Hopefully, next game. Yun na lang habol namin, playoff spot.”
