MANILA, Philippines – Much has been said about Jeff Chan's inability to hit a three-pointer as a member of Barangay Ginebra.

In his first three games for the Gin Kings since being traded from Phoenix, Chan bricked eight straight three points. Fortunately for Ginebra, Chan's slump had little effect on them as they won all three games.

At the time, Chan was not worried. "Babagsak din 'yan," the veteran guard said after going 0-of-3 from beyond the arc in a 105-86 win against Alaska.

He went on to miss three straight triples when the Gin Kings crushed GlobalPort, 116-98, to end their elimination round schedule.

Now, Chan and the Ginebra faithful can breathe a sigh of relief. The guard finally made his first three-pointer as a Gin King on Monday night, during Game 1 of their PBA Commissioner's Cup quarterfinals series against Meralco.

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The breakthrough basket came with 56 seconds to go in the third frame, when Chan drilled a triple for a 67-60 lead. Ginebra went on to win, 88-81, for a 1-0 lead in the best-of-3 series.

"I hope all of our fans are happy now that Jeff has hit a three-point shot," Ginebra coach Tim Cone said, smiling, after the game. "I hope there's many more to come."

For Chan himself, making the shot brought both relief and excitement.

"Ako rin, excited ako. At least ngayon 'yung kumpiyansa ko medyo nandiyan na, hindi na ako 'yung passive. Kailangan ko lang maging aggressive din para makatulong," said Chan.

Chan finished with eight points on 3-of-5 shooting, making one of his two attempts from beyond the arc.

He expects to be able to do more in future games, especially now that he is more comfortable in Cone's system.

"Siyempre at first, medyo parang inaalam ko pa 'yung triangle. Pero nung nag-usap naman kami [ni Coach Tim], sabi naman niya na anytime pwede hanapin 'yung tira ko. Minsan hanapin ko naman daw yung tira ko instead of pasa-pasa," Chan explained.

Another thing that Chan is getting more comfortable with? The sound of the crowd cheering his every shot.

"Nasa isang side naman ako, kasi usually kalaban ko 'yung crowd 'di ba, pero now nasa same side na. Masaya, iba kasi 'yung feeling din na maraming nagchi-cheer," he said.

"Magandang experience din for me na makalaro sa Ginebra, thank you din sa fans sa pag-accept sa akin."

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