Jeff Chan is no spring chicken, but if his last game against Ginebra is any indication, he can still ball. Apparently, those 39-year-old legs have got plenty of gas left.
It seemed for a while back Jeff Chan was going to retire a Gin King.
Chan had settled nicely into his role at Barangay Ginebra—a break-the-glass-in-case-of-emergency sniper for the most part, a spot starter, or a second-unit member sometimes. Whatever the role, the Negros Sniper embraced it and, in doing so, he helped the Gin Kings win four titles.
But then Jamie Malonzo became available, and Ginebra just had to pounce.
Now, Malonzo is a Gin King. Chan is a Batang Pier . . . and is playing quite well.
The 39-year-old Negrense is playing a lot more this conference and is again doing Jeff Chan things: be a leader, drain open jumpers, and make good decisions. That is certainly not bad for someone just two months shy of 40.
Perhaps fittingly, Chan saved his best for last—and against his former team no less, albeit in a losing cause. With the Batang Pier needing a win to extend their quarterfinal series against the Gin Kings, the Negros Sniper player arguably his best game in three years, topscoring for Northport with 20 points and adding 5 rebounds and 6 assists in 37 minutes of action. Again, that is certainly not bad for someone turning 40 in February.
Granted, Chan looked gassed in the payoff period, even missing a couple of late game treys that would have turned the tide in favor of Northport. But his 15 points in the game’s first 36 minutes helped keep the Batang Pier within striking distance. Put simply, it was vintage Jeff Chan in the first three quarters—not that surprising given Chan’s history of playing big in big games dating back to his Rain or Shine days.
Unfortunately for Northport and the Negros Sniper, the Gin Kings just proved steadier down the stretch and had far too many weapons. Chan’s valiant effort, though, is reason for optimism, as the veteran guard just proved he has got some game left. That is good news for the Batang Pier, who need to surround superstar guard Robert Bolick with a capable supporting cast to contend.
Chan should be part of that supporting cast. Maybe he will retire a Batang Pier, after a few more solid seasons that is.