ESPN analyst Jalen Rose is known for bringing out a Filipino broom whenever there’s a potential sweep in the NBA Playoffs.
On Monday morning Manila time, Rose flaunted a walis tambo during ESPN’s pregame show NBA Countdown, predicting that Fil-American coach Eric Spoelstra and the Miami Heat will close out the top seed Milwaukee Bucks.
“You know how much I love Giannis and how I want him to stay in Milwaukee but Walis! Walis! Eric Spoelstra and the Miami Heat, they’ll get it done,” Rose said on the show.
The former member of the Michigan Wolverines' famed “Fab Five” was referring to the frenzy surrounding the free agency of Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo in 2021.
Rose also shouted “walis” twice during halftime of Game 4, prompting Jordan Clarkson to react on social media.
“i hear you @JalenRose .... WALIS! hahahaha thats too funny my grandma used to say that,” Clarkson tweeted. Rose later responded with three Philippine flag emojis.
READ: After stellar season in Utah, Jordan Clarkson ponders future as he enters free agency
Also reacting was ESPN personality Pablo Torre, who is of Filipino descent.
“Let the record show that @JalenRose is an honorary member of the ESPN Filipino Cultural Society. Long may his hairline reign,” tweeted Torre.
Spoelstra and the Heat didn’t get the job as the Bucks overcame the loss of Antetokounmpo due to an ankle injury to win 118-115 in overtime, extending their Eastern Conference semifinal series to a fifth game set Wednesday Manila time.
READ: Fil-Am Miami coach Erik Spoelstra on the cusp of sending Miami to Eastern Finals
Bringing out either a tambo or tingting version of the Filipino broom has been a custom for Rose during the NBA postseason while saying “shoutout to my Filipino friends and family.”