PBA: Despite injury, Jeff Chan delivers for Rain or Shine in Game 6

With Rain or Shine on the brink of yet another finals heartbreak, sniper Jeff Chan called coach Yeng Guiao the night before their Game Six hostilities with Talk 'N Text.

The 6-foot-2 gunner just got confirmation that day that his plantar fascia is officially torn, but his fiery mentor already surmised as much during Game Five. He was phoning for another reason - letting his coach know that he wished to play on Sunday despite his injury.

"Sabi naman ng doc, dahil championship, puwede daw akong mag-risk. Kasi two games lang daw," he said about his condition after the MRI results. "Kaso sabi niya may pain. So kung kaya, tuloy. Pero pag hindi, desisyon ko na mag-stop."

The Elasto Painters were down 3-2 in the series, so Chan did not even have second thoughts on what he was going to do - there was just no way he would allow himself to miss a do-or-die game.

His appearance surprised fans during the match, and by the end of the night, he tallied 11 points in his precious 11 minutes on the floor, even as his foot throbbed with pain.

"Sobrang sakit. Kanina nga hindi ko na matapak. Every time na mag-e-explode ako, talagang na-fe-feel ko 'yung punit so very painful," he said.

Prior to the finals, Chan was still questionable for Rain or Shine due to the injury, but he resorted to taking pain relievers to be able to play in the first three games.

He missed the next two and sat helpless on the bench as the Elasto Painters lost both games. By then, the pain was already making it difficult for him to walk.

"After Game Three hindi na ko makalakad e, tapos the next game lalong hindi ako makalakad," he said.

Chan wasn't going to be deterred, however, saying that he actually wanted to play as early as Game Five.

"Gusto ko makatulong sa team e. Sayang 'yung andito na kami sa finals," he said.

And with the series down to the Game Seven finale, Chan said he is prepared to make the sacrifice and bear the pain.

"Try ko pa rin basta kaya." - RAF, GMA News