Ebondo vows to impress in the ‘bigger stage’ with Chooks Pilipinas

Editor's note (3:20 PM): Chooks Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes confirmed on Twitter that Rod Ebondo, contrary to his earlier tweet and Bounty Sports' information, was unable to secure a Chinese visa.

MANILA, Philippines — Rod Ebondo, like many of the lesser-known names in the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas, is just making the most out of the opportunity to serve the country and at the same time, showcase his wares.

But really, like his peers, the Congo native is more than that.

Ebondo, a 22-year-old talent lending his services to the CEU Scorpions, has been called up by Chot Reyes as an option to fill Chooks’ other import slot for the FIBA Asia Champions Cup. The first spot was filled by naturalization candidate Isaiah Austin.

“I will just take it as a big opportunity for me. To play for the Philippines is a big honor for me. I will just take advantage of the opportunity, and I'll play hard and try to bring my best for the team,” Ebondo said of his big break.

But this isn’t really his first crack at an international tournament.

"I used to play for the Under-18 in my country Congo. The last time, I was called for the Afrobasket in Tunisia, but I did not go due to financial problems since my country isn't that rich,” he recalled.

"It is always a dream for basketball players to play in the bigger stage,” the 6-foot-6 do-it-all big man said.

Ebondo’s arsenal was in full display during the Scorpion’s runner-up finish in the recently-concluded PBA D-League Foundation Cup.

And now that he has a new task at hand, the foreigner is ready to make up for missing out on the Afrobasket and pour it all in the FIBA Asia Champions Cup this weekend.

“I hope after my graduation this March, I will be able to play for the World Cup Qualifiers. For now I will just focus for the Philippines national team,” he said.