PBA: Vintage Jeff Chan shows up at right time for Ginebra

Barangay Ginebra swingman Jeff Chan shoots a jumper during a game against Rain or Shine in the PBA Governors’ Cup. PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines—Now at the tailend of his career, Jeff Chan is no longer called upon to carry much of the offense for his team.

But that doesn’t mean he won’t be a dependable scorer when the situation needed it.

The 39-year-old shooter barely averaged three points in the 2021-22 PBA Governors’ Cup but looked like 10 years younger against his former team Rain or Shine as he helped Barangay Ginebra to an all-important 104-93 win.

Gin Kings head coach Tim Cone had nothing but praise for the former Gilas Pilipinas guard as Chan saved the team in several situations in the second half.

“You can’t say enough about Jeff today,” said Cone Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum. “He’s the one who really came out and took hold of that role and helped us tremendously.”

The Gin Kings have been riddled with injury problems throughout the conference as Stanley Pringle, Joe Devance, Jared Dillinger, and Aljon Mariano are all sidelined.

With such a depleted lineup, Cone sometimes had to rely heavily on his starters or take someone off the bench in hopes of a spark.

And Chan did just that after getting his stroke going against the Elasto Painters.

Chan scored 12 of his total 15 points in the second half including two three-pointers in the fourth that stabilized things for the Gin Kings.

His first three in the final quarter tied the game at 89-89 with 7:22 to play while his second long ball put the Gin Kings up 10, 101-91, with 2:01 left.

“We haven’t really had anybody take hold of that fifth guy on the floor and tonight Jeff did,” said Cone as his team ended the elimination round with a 6-5 record. 

“Jeff grabbed it and took it. He played well both sides of the floor, hit some big shots, and if he can do that it opens up things for everybody else.”

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