MANILA – Negrense Jeffrei Chan still does not forget the moment he became one of the last players to be selected during the 2008 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Rookie Draft.
The Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings three-point gunner still uses that moment as a motivation to grind harder every day in his chase to win the elusive PBA Philippine Cup crown.
“Dapat masaya ako dahil na-draft ako, pero sobrang lungkot ko nung araw na ‘yun. Naging blanko ako,” Chan recalled during the CPT Crossover podcast of Bacolodnon sports writer Cedelf Tupas.
“Noong year na iyon, I was the last player to be drafted kasi two rounds lang ang draft,” added the Bacolod City-native. “‘Yun ang nag-drive sa akin na kailangan ko mag work harder at ipakita sa coaches na I belong.”
Although dejected with his 17th overall selection, Chan still considers being drafted by the Red Bull Barako as a blessing in disguise. He regained his confidence under then head coach Joseller “Yeng” Guiao.
“Alam naman natin na coach Yeng (Guiao) gives opportunities kahit sa rookies. Nagagalit pa iyan kapag open ka tapos hindi ka tumira,” he said. “Doon ko na-regain ‘yung confidence ko.”
Chan went on to have a successful career in the PBA by winning two championships each with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters and the Kings. He was also named as Finals Most Valuable Player and Most Improved Player once.
The former University of St. La Salle-Bacolod and Far Eastern University Tamaraws standout also got the chance to play for the Gilas Pilipinas in the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Spain.
Chan said that the crowd favorites Ginebra are upbeat to also reign in the 2020 Philippine Cup, but the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic temporarily halted the tournament.
“We are gunning para sa All-Filipino championship. ‘Yun na lang din ang missing sa career ko,” said Chan. “After nung championship namin last conference, we are excited. Maganda ‘yung bonding team.”/PN
