Despite having earned a reputation as one of the best foreign players in the PBA D-League, Rodrigue Ebondo still feels that a lot of people — including the Philippine basketball team coaches — do not really know him too well.
“Ever since, they didn’t really see me, like, during a game — they just saw my highlights and also in practice,” he said.
That is why the 22-year-old foreign student-athlete from Centro Escolar University used Saturday’s tune-up versus NLEX-SCTEX Road Warriors as an avenue to introduce himself to the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas coaches.
And he let himself be known.
The Congolese student-athlete played a huge factor in Chooks’ 95-83 victory over the Merlion Cup-bound Road Warriors, scoring 26 big points, with 15 coming from the second quarter alone that helped his team pull away by as wide as 17.
“For me I just wanted to give the best I could so the coaches can see what they can do with me,” said Ebondo of his commendable showing after the exhibition.
“So today was a challenge for me to show them what I can do.”
Even national team head coach Chot Reyes was left in awe of what he had seen from the versatile six-foot-six wingman, who helped CEU win titles in NAASCU.
“[We] love his game!” lauded the veteran internationalist.
Still, Ebondo’s status with Chooks for the 2017 FIBA Asia Champions Cup next week is hanging in the balance, as they have yet to determine Bright Akhuetie’s eligibility. But regardless of what might happen, Ebondo is all set to play.
According to him, CEU is giving their one hundred percent support in this new endeavor of his.
“For the team management, it is OK for them that I miss those [UCBL] games because they know that this one is a good opportunity for me to show myself and to show my talent in a big basketball stage,” said Ebondo.
