Gilas Pilipinas: Hired gun

Photo courtesy of interaksyon.com

There's an unwritten doctrine among basketball players; of how athleticism and aerial forays are fads more than anything while shooting is one of the sports' truest art forms.

How can it not be? While flashy reverse lay-ups and rim-rattling dunks are a sight to behold, it registers just about the same amount of points as a regular jumpshot. There's a reason why the three point shot is well, worth three points. Shooting is an art form, and three points will always be better than two. Having a designated shooter is a plus for any basketball team and not having one is a curse (hello last NBA season's Philadelphia 76ers). It is the quickest way to either get back into a game or blow it wide open.

And for Gilas Pilipinas, that role falls upon the Chinito shoulders of Rain or Shine's Jeffrei Chan. And though we have the likes of Gary David, Larry Fonacier and even Jimmy Alapag, Chan is the consensus resident gunner from long range following in the foot steps of Asian basketball legend Allan Caidic.

We're not putting any pressure on Chan to make any Marc Pingris-like defensive stops or help move the ball. He is there to be the primary kickout option in Gilas head coach Chot Reyes' dribble drive motion offense or even some flex offense. His ability to also take the ball to the rim and finish with finesse is also a luxury to have since it will keep the opponents guessing. 

This guy will need to work his tail off to get himself open and in scoring position at all times. At a slender 6"2, Chan can ill afford to just stand in a corner and wait for the ball to come his way- not against taller defenders anyway.

Granted, if we can implant phrases into Chan's cranium it would be after now Memphis Grizzlies stalwart Mike Miller's "let it fly" dogma.

Let it fly Mr. Chan, let it fly.

Kaboom!