CHICAGO – On a robust news day when Manila slowly began to emerge from the ravages of a catastrophic flooding, the NorthPort Batang Pier flushed down a bit of sad news.

jeff chan phoenix northport

They have released veteran Jeff Chan.

The amicable parting didn’t come as a surprise to the 6-foot-2, 185-pound gunner who told me he was informed of the contractual divorce a month ago.

Slowed by a calf injury last conference, the former FEU star appeared in eight games for NorthPort in the PBA Philippine Cup where he averaged 5 points, 1.1 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game.

READ Jeff Chan’s contract with NorthPort no longer renewed

Those numbers, however, do not give justice to Chan’s real value.

The No.17 overall pick of the 2008 Rookie Draft, Chan played a total of 608 games in the league including the 2011-12 season with Rain Or Shine where he established himself as an All-Star by norming 14 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists while hitting 34 percent from 3.

SIX CHIPS.

His body of work is impressive – 6 titles, 6 All-Star appearances and 1 Finals MVP plum (2012).

At age 41, the sun is slowly setting on a fabulous career, but Jeff ain’t quite ready to call it quits just yet.

When asked what the future holds, he told me in a telephone interview Wednesday night (Thursday, Manila time) that “only time will tell.”

PHOTO BY: JEROME ASCANO

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He is still in game shape, “working out” as he ponders the possibilities. A silver lining throughout this momentary pause is the opportunity to “spend time with my wife and kids,” he adds.

But make no mistake, if a team gives him a call within the three weeks before the start of the Governor’s Cup, he won’t hesitate to get back to the grind.

“Deep inside I feel like I still have enough left to give to the game,” he emphasized.

WHY NOT THREE?

Under PBA rules, a prominent agent told me, a draft pick can be locked up for up to three years.

Curiously, Blackwater announced that it had signed No. 2 pick Sedrick Barefield to a two-year contract with a player option on the second year.

Another rookie, DJ Mitchell, opted to sign a one-year deal when he was offered a one-year contract.

All these lend ammunition to the theory that Sedrick’s future isn’t with the Bossing.

“I don’t know what this team has done to you?” a Blackwater official, who shall remain anonymous, asked me.

Nothing. In fact I have the greatest admiration for the Sy brothers – Dioceldo and Siliman.

But let me ask this question, too.

By giving away a lot of its prized assets to rich teams over the years, what has Blackwater done to help achieve parity in the PBA?