By ADRIAN STEWART CO
MANILA – NorthPort Batang Pier gunner Jeffrei Chan was grateful for the four years he spent with the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings, where he won four PBA championships.
The Bacolod City native was recently traded to the Batang Pier from the Kings as part of the blockbuster deal where Ginebra secured the services of forward Jamie Malonzo.
Chan said he understood that his trade to the Batang Pier was part of the business of the PBA. He was thankful to Ginebra where he snagged an All-Filipino championship in 2020.
“Ganun talaga sa PBA. Kasama yan sa buhay ng isang professional,” said the 39-year-old Chan. “Pero grateful ako sa Ginebra kasi doon ko nakuha ang first PBA Philippine Cup championship ko.”
The Batang Pier is Chan’s fifth team in the league after spending time with Barako Bull Energy, Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters, and the Gin Kings.
At the NorthPort camp, the 6-foot-2 three-point gunner also reunited with his former Far Eastern University Tamaraws teammate Arwind Santos, whom he last played with 17 years ago.
“All endings are also beginnings. I want to thank boss Alfrancis Chua, boss RSA (Ramon S. Ang) and to the true fans who have been with me, kahit saan, since day 1. Maraming, maraming salamat,” Chan said.
“To my teammates sa Ginebra, thank you sa lahat. You guys made it fun and were the best part of being a Gin King. Now… on to the next!” the former University of St. La Salle star said.
Chan, a former mainstay of Gilas Pilipinas, has already played two games with the NorthPort, including an 11-point explosion in their close 104-105 loss to Bay Area Dragons over the weekend.
Chan, along with fellow former Ginebra players Arvin Tolentino, Kent Salado and Prince Caperal, will have their chance to meet their former team at the last playdate of the elimination on November 27 at Philsports Arena./PN
