The San Juan Knights are frustrated with how big man Mike Phillips left the club as he is reportedly headed to Japan for a stint in the B.League.

Phillips has an option to leave the Knights, as stated in his contract, should an international club seek his services.

But what made his exit bitter was that he did not personally speak with the team’s management and instead informed them of his decision through a letter.

Sources told the DAILY TRIBUNE that Gerry Abadiano, another Knights player set to compete overseas, personally visited team owner Senator Jinggoy Estrada at the New Quezon City Jail, where he received the latter’s blessing.

Abadiano will suit up for the Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus in the Korean Basketball League.

“It was more of a courtesy. The team will let him play overseas since he and Gerry have the same clause in their contracts,” a source, who requested anonymity, said.

The DAILY TRIBUNE tried to reach head coach Alex Angeles for comment, but he did not respond as of press time.

Phillips debuted for Gilas Pilipinas in the third window of the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers early in July and averaged four points and 8.5 rebounds in the matches against New Zealand and Australia.

His best performance for Gilas was a six-point, 14-rebound outing in its 49-92 loss to the Boomers at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia, last week.