ISAIAH Austin was a no-show in the last practice of the Philippine team bound for the Fiba Asia Champions Cup on Wednesday at the Meralco Gym.
Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes, who handles the team under the Chooks-to-Go banner, bared that the 7-foot-1 naturalized player prospect flew to Hong Kong early this morning to fix his travel documents for the Chenzhou, China showpiece.
"He's in Hong Kong now, trying to get a visa," Reyes said.
"Hopefully he's able to do that. He took the morning flight. Kaka-land lang niya so wala pa tayong balita."
If things don't go well, Reyes said Austin might even have to secure his visa back in Los Angeles.
"Wala e, ganun talaga. We didn't anticipate magkaka-problema pala sa Chinese visa here," he said.
The tournament kicks off on Friday.
Ebondo, on the other hand, seemed good to go according to the outspoken mentor.
"Si Ebondo mukang OK na, we got a word na mukhang maayos na siya," he said. "Until we have it, it's never a hundred percent. But we have been assured already na OK na, so si Austin na lang kulang."
The 6-foot-6 Congolese reinforcement, who will miss a couple of games for mother team Centro Escolar University in the ongoing UCBL, joined 11 others in a light training before the team leaves for China Wednesday afternoon.
Also in attendance were Alaska forward Carl Bryan Cruz, Kia playmaker LA Revilla, Almond Vosotros, Jeric Teng, TnT reserves Norbert Torres and Alfrancis Tamsi, as well as amateur standouts Kiefer Ravena, Jeron Teng, Raymar Jose, and Jett Manuel.
Reserve Gab Banal also showed up in practice.
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