Sidelined with groin injury, Chan refuses to skip Gilas training

Rain or Shine’s Jeff Chan answers questions from media after Gilas’ practice on Tuesday. Photo by Randolph B. Leongson

Jeff Chan is committed to attending Gilas practices while he’s recuperating from a groin injury.

The Rain or Shine gunslinger was present in Tuesday’s morning practices at Meralco Gym, but sat in the sidelines and watched his teammates go through the drills.

“Aattend pa rin ako sa mga practice. Kailangan ko panoorin yung plays at gustong ipagawa ni coach Tab,” he said. “Ayoko namang mawala at wala akong idea pagbalik ko. Mental, kailangan pag-aralan yung pwesto ko, kung ano yung gagawin ko. Baka pag nawala ako ng two weeks, baka mahirapan ako makabalik. Ayaw ko rin magtagal.”

Chan, fresh from Rain or Shine’s conquest of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, admits that his movements are still limited.

“Sa ngayon di pa, may pain pa. Di ko nga mahabol yung mga bata eh. Basta pahinga lang, no legs, no jumping, no running,” he said, reflecting on that injury he incurred in Game 6 of the 2016 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals.

Chan is hopeful the diagnosis won’t be serious, eyeing Friday as his earliest return to the court for the national team.

“We will see sa Friday after ng therapy. Pag may pain pa, tsaka ako magpapa-MRI,” he said.

Teammate Paul Lee has already begged off from national team duties as he recovers from his left knee injury, joining Greg Slaughter and Matt Ganuelas-Rosser as the recent casualties from the Gilas Pilipinas pool.

Chan, though, is keeping his fingers crossed that he will be able to join the team on the court as he steps up his therapy.

“Sana positive lang yung result ng therapy. Gusto ko rin na maglaro na. Ayoko rin ma-out of shape,” he said.