HELP EVEN IN PAIN
One win and you’re out.
Jeff Chan knew the repercussions if ever Rain or Shine lost on Sunday.
A defeat will send the Elasto Painters’ dream journey in the 2015 Commissioner’s Cup down the drain, surrendering the hardware to Talk ‘N Text.
Uneasy the night before the all-important tiff, he called coach Yeng Guiao.
Chan said, “Lumabas yung result kagabi ng MRI eh. Dun namin nalaman na punit yung plantar (fascia) ko. Sabi ni doc, dahil championship, pwede ako mag-risk kasi two games lang, pero may pain. Kung kaya, tuloy. Pag hindi, desisyon mo na mag-stop.”
Nursing a torn plantar fascia, Chan was already ruled out for the rest of the series.
“Sabi ko kay coach, may go signal ako so I’ll try. Sabi nya, ‘Sige, ready ka bukas. Magandang balita yan. Kahit ilang minutes lang, basta makacontribute ka, ok na.’,” Chan said.
“He called me last night and asked if he can make a contribution and he did,” recounted the fiery mentor.
Not one to turn down an unwavering soul, Guiao fielded the Negrense gunner in for the second quarter, where he made an instant impact, scoring eight points in his four minutes on the floor.
Chan finished with 11 points on 2-of-4 shooting from rainbow country, and was an inspiration in Rain or Shine’s 101-93 Game 6 conquest and forcing a Game 7 on Wednesday.
“He’s trying to show the rest of the team that he really wanted to make a contribution. Even in pain, he wanted to help,” said Guiao.
For his part, Chan said that he just doesn’t want their effort to go to waste.
“Game 5 pa lang, gusto ko na maglaro kung pwede lang. Gusto kong makatulong sa team. Sayang kasi andito na kami sa Finals,” he said. “Sana na-inspire sila. Ako naman, I’ll do anything to help the team.”
Chan admitted that the pain still lingers every time he steps on the court, as he said, “Sobrang sakit. Kanina, di ko na matapak kasi pag nage-explode ako, nararamdaman ko yung punit. It’s very painful,” he said. “After ng Game 3, di na ako makalakad. Pero gusto ko pa rin lumaro.”
Though his injury needs all the rest it can to recuperate, Chan is putting it all out on the table as he hopes to tolerate the hurt and play come Game 7.
“All-out. Do-or-die na for both teams. Hopefully, maging consistent kami sa defense at magcontribute lahat,” he said. (RL)
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