Bad news came the Isabela City Chooks’ (Phenom-Basilan Steel) way on Friday evening.
Lead gunner Franky Johnson will not suit up for Isabela City in its campaign in the Hongxiang Holdings Haining Challenger on Saturday.
Johnson’s visa did not arrive on time.
Roosevelt Adams, guest player Gab Banal, and import Marcus Hammonds are left on the team.
Earlier in the week, Isabela City was also notified that Troy Rike could not play with them, as he is registered with Pasig Chooks in the FIBA 3×3 circuit.
Though the mountain to climb just got higher for Isabela City, Hammonds said that they are ready for the challenge that lies ahead.
“We are up to it. If that’s what it has to be, then that’s what it has to be. We need to double our efforts since we have to go through a lot of games in China,” he said.
Isabela City will have to top Qualifying Draw A to advance to the main draw’s Pool C. They will face Mongolian clubs Sukhbaatar at 9:00 am and Taikhar at 10:40 am.
On the other hand, Balanga Chooks, composed of Alvin Pasaol, Karl Dehesa, Chris De Chavez, and Travis Franklin, will take on world no. 2 Liman (2:30 pm) and no. 30 Sosnovy Bor (4:15 pm) in Main Draw A.
“Siyempre, gustong-gusto namin makabawi after nung talo namin sa Moscow,” said Pasaol as Balanga could not advance in the Moscow Challenger’s main draw last month. “Mas maganda chemistry ng team namin ngayon dahil matagal na kami magkakasama.”
