Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

Basketball

Coach Chot gives update on Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas imports


Isaiah Austin was nowhere to be found on Wednesday morning at the Meralco Gym in Pasig City, during Chooks to Go Pilipinas’ final practice session before flying this afternoon to Chenzhou, China for the 2017 FIBA Asia Champions Cup.

As it turns out, the 23-year-old American had flown to Hong Kong on Tuesday morning to apply for a Chinese visa.

“He’s in Hong Kong now, trying to get a visa,” confirmed Chooks head coach Chot Reyes of Austin’s whereabouts. “Hopefully he’s able to do that. He took the morning flight, kaka-landing lang niya.

“So wala pa tayong balita.”

Securing a visa in Hong Kong is just one of the contingencies of the team.

If ever his application will not be approved, the 7-foot-1 center will then fly to the United States of America as soon as possible and apply for a visa again.Isaiah-Austin-3424 Coach Chot gives update on Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas imports Basketball News  - philippine sports news

“He might have to go back to LA (Los Angeles) to get his visa there,” the 54-year-old tactician rued. “Wala eh, ganun talaga.

“We did not anticipate na magkaka-problema pala sa Chinese visa here.”

But if worse comes to worst, the outspoken mentor lamented that they have no choice but to play through the Asian club cagefest without the former Baylor Bears center.

“Nako. Wala na tayong magagawa,” he said.

And if ever it happens, Chooks will then send second-generation cager Andre Paras as a replacement for Austin, as per the veteran coach.

According to team officials later in the day, Austin is set to receive his visa on Thursday morning.

On the brighter side of things, Chooks will not go into the tourney without any foreign aid. According to Reyes, the team just received an update that Congolese wingman Rodrigue Ebondo’s visa has been approved.Chooks-vs.-Cignal-Rod-Ebondo-6509 Coach Chot gives update on Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas imports Basketball News  - philippine sports news

#ReadMore  Kiefer Ravena, Mikee Reyes host Chooks-to-Go/NBTC 24 Season 2

“Si Ebondo mukhang OK na. We got word na mukhang maayos na siya,” he said. “Until we have it (visa), it’s never a hundred percent.

“But we have been assured already na OK, so si Austin na lang [kulang].”

Written By

Oftentimes on the sidelines. Forever a student of the game. Morayta-bred.


You May Also Like

Basketball

TNT completed its back-to-back bid in the PBA Governors’ Cup following a dramatic 95-85 come-from-behind win over Barangay Ginebra in Game 6 of the...

Basketball

Calvin Oftana let his game do all the talking to show that he has moved on from his frustrations back in Game 4 of...

Basketball

TNT moved one win away from defending its PBA Governors’ Cup kingship following a 99-72 decimation of Barangay Ginebra to build a 3-2 lead...

Basketball

Justin Brownlee played his best game of the series to date to lead Ginebra in reducing the Governors’ Cup Finals to a virtual best-of-3...

Basketball

Ginebra avoided falling into a dangerous situation as it found much-needed solutions to decipher TNT, 85-73, and take Game 3 of the PBA Season...

Basketball

Ginebra head coach Tim Cone couldn’t offer much in the aftermath of another loss to TNT in the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup Finals,...

Basketball

TNT used a strong fourth-quarter push to repulse Barangay Ginebra, 96-84, and race to a 2-0 lead in the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup...

Basketball

ANTIPOLO — Jayson Castro proved pivotal yet again as TNT methodically tore apart Barangay Ginebra, 104-88, to draw first blood in the PBA Season...

Advertisement