JEFF Chan recently accepted his first head coaching job without fanfare with Tikas Kapampangan in the National Basketball League-Pilipinas, a professional league that caters to homegrown talents from their respective localities.
And in only his first conference with the squad, the former Gilas Pilipinas and PBA standout took the championship on Sunday when Tikas Kapampangan defeated Taguig Generals, 100-96, last Sunday in Game 5 of the Governors’ Cup finals.
READ: Tikas Kapampangan overhauls 18-point deficit, ends Taguig reign in NBL
A year removed from his last stint in the PBA with NorthPort, the 42-year-old Chan admitted he already had plans to enter into coaching, but never thought that it would come this early.
“Actually, tinawagan nila ako as consultant,” said Chan in recalling his conversation with Tikas Kapampangan bosses led by team owner Errol Gopez and team governor Aya Gopez.
“And parang two weeks before the tournament, kinausap ako ng boss kung puwede ba ako mag-handle. At that point, nagda-dalawang isip ako. Sabi nila sa akin, may tiwala kami sayo.”
But being a player who doesn’t back down to a challenge, Chan eventually accepted the role as head coach of the all-Kapampangan squad.
“No pressure daw pero habang palayo ng palayo, nape-pressure ako sa kanila,” said Chan with a smile. “Pero sabi ko rin naman, I want to coach na rin. Doon naman tayo papunta. Bakit hindi ko kunin ‘yung challenge?”
“As a player, there’s always a challenge. Gusto ko ‘yun eh. May fire lagi inside you. Gusto ko na rin matuto as early as now,” Chan added.
In his 16-year PBA career, Chan was handled by some of the best coaches in the league in Yeng Guiao during his Rain or Shine stint from 2009 to 2017 and with Tim Cone at Barangay Ginebra from 2018 to 2022. He also played under Chot Reyes at Gilas Pilipinas.
Chan said his coaching style is a mix of all his previous mentors, but admitted that Guiao is his biggest influence.
“Sobrang thankful ako sa kanya kasi sobrang dami kong learning sa kanya as a player and how he handles players and situations. Inadapt ko lang in a way. And of course, marami rin akong ibang coaches like Coach Chot, Coach Tim, parang pinagsama-sama na lang,” said Chan.
Chan doesn't have Pampanga roots but one of his former coaches does so 'The Negros Sniper' thought about inviting Guiao to their practice in the lead-up to the championship series against Taguig, a team that entered the finals eyeing for its fifth straight title.
Guiao accepted the invite.
“Alam naman natin ‘yung relationship namin ni coach Yeng. Sobrang tagal namin magkasama. Nagsakto rin na Kapampangan siya. I invited him na ‘Coach, kailangan ka namin, magbigay ka sana ng inspirational words dahil pa-finals na kami and hometown mo ‘to.’”
“Ginulat ko ‘yung players and even the bosses, night before ko lang sinabi sa mga bosses and sobrang excited sila, nagulat sila pagpasok, parang anong meron bakit nandiyan si Coach,” said Chan.
Getting the most out of his players
As far as handling his players at Tikas Kapampangan, Chan said he isn’t afraid to speak his mind to get the best out of them.
“Hindi ko naman sila pinapagalitan. It’s more of pushing them. Kapag may tiwala ka sa player, kapag may nakikita ka sa isang player, you want to push them na sabi nga nila, kapag hindi mo pinapansin ang player, may something na ‘yun. Pero ang laki ng nakikita kong potential eh. Kailangan lang nila matuto, kailangan lang nila maging mas matalino,” said Chan.
Under Chan’s auspices, Tikas Kapampangan captured the title by winning the last two games of the best-of-five series including the rubber match played on the road at the Hagonoy Sports Complex in Taguig City where they won after overcoming an 18-point deficit against the Generals.
Chan said he is happy for his players who were able to capture a championship on a bigger stage. He is hoping that whatever knowledge he was able to share to his players will help them down the road in their careers.
“I’m happy for them. Naglalaro sila sa mga ligang labas. Now, nasa small professional league pero tignan mo naman. I’m hoping na mag-improve sila as a player," he said.
“Success nila, success ng lahat. I’m just happy na nakatulong ako sa team especially napasaya ko mga boss ko. Again, parang passing ng torch na rin ito, kung ano ang natutunan ko as a player, ano ang natutunan ko sa mga coaches, gusto kong i-share sa kanila. Again, hindi lang ito basketball. How you handle din. I hope maging successful sila sa league and sa sariling buhay nila,” he added.
And as far as his coaching, Chan said he still has a lot to learn despite the championship.
“Rookie pa lang ako. Marami pa akong matututunan. Kung may support pa sila boss, I want to learn more. Sobrang konti pa lang ang alam ko eh. I am hoping na mag-improve. Parang player, as a rookie, you want to improve and hopefully, maging mas matalino pa akong coach,” said Chan.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
