by Jonas Terrado
Barangay Ginebra San Miguel’s Jeff Chan is hoping to return to action before the end of June after suffering a severe ankle sprain more than a week ago against Blackwater.
Chan got hurt when he stepped on the foot of Blackwater’s James Sena in the third quarter of Ginebra’s 108-107 overtime loss last May 24 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The injury resulted in Sena getting a one-game suspension from the PBA Commissioner’s Office plus a fine of R24,000 for being slapped a Flagrant Foul 2.
The former national team mainstay confirmed that Sena apologized to him through a text message, though he hopes that the big man will avoid a repeat of the incident.
“Hopefully wag lang maulit sa ibang players kasi masakit,” Chan said after watching Ginebra’s 73-70 win over NorthPort at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Despite his foot showing good improvement, Chan was advised against talking long walks in order to make a speedy recovery.
“Nakakalakad naman ako pero pag natagal mas sumasakit,” Chan said. “Sabi nga ng PT namin dapat short walks lang, wala munang pasyal-pasyal.”
His absence left Ginebra without one of its offensive weapons, though it recently made a move to sign Jared Dillinger after being placed in the unrestricted free agent list by Meralco.
Dillinger, however, is still recovering from a nagging quad injury and his timetable remains undetermined.