JEFF Chan promised to himself that he will be aggressive on offense prior to Rain or Shine’s PLDT myDSL-PBA Philippine Cup encounter with Barako Bull on Friday.
The hotshot guard out of Far Eastern University didn’t disappoint.
His confidence growing after every basket made from beyond the arc, Chan played the hero’s role for the Elasto Painters by nailing the game-clinching three-pointer that capped his 34-point performance in a thrilling 99-95 win over the Energy at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Chan admitted the team’s offense has been inconsistent for the most part of the All-Filipino conference, which is why his goal was to be on the attack mode against the Energy right from the onset.
The pride of Bacolod was shooting just 37 percent from the field for the season, but went 11-of-15 against Barako Bull while making 7-of-10 from beyond the arc.
That was why the 30-year-old Gilas mainstay was pleasantly surprised that Barako Bull’s defense left him open for the game-winning basket in the dying seconds.
“Nagulat nga ako eh,” Chan said, sharing to a handful of scribes how he found himself wide-open after Barako Bull veteran Willie Miller elected to play help defense on Rain or Shine teammate Jervy Cruz.
With Miller guarding him, Cruz immediately whipped the pass to the wide-open Chan, who didn’t hesitate draining what proved to be the game-winning shot with Dorian Pena too far away to guard him.
“Si Jervy kasi na-open, eh talagang nag-full help siya (Miller), kaya thank you, Willie,” Chan added with a wide grin.
Chan's return to form augurs well for Rain or Shine when it returns to action on Sunday against arch-rival San Mig Super Coffee at the Mall of Asia Arena.
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