PBA free agent Roosevelt Adams is set for his debut with Gilas Pilipinas as he takes the spot vacated by UP standout Carl Tamayo in the final 12 against Saudi Arabia in the fourth window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers on Aug. 29, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Gilas head coach Chot Reyes, despite having the chance to tap some of the players who were cut in the 24-man pool, stuck to the 13-man lineup which he brought to Beirut when Gilas played Lebanon three days ago.
Making his home debut as well is NBA star Jordan Clarkson. It will be his first time playing in the country ever since he started representing the country at international level in the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Clarkson showed NBA level talent in his return to duty to the national team, dropping 27 points seven assists and six rebounds in an 85-81 loss to the Cedars.
Despite spending only five days of full practice, encouraging signs were also seen as the NBA veteran seemed to have played beautiful music together with the likes of Dwight Ramos and Kai Sotto during some good stretches of the contest.
Ramos finished with 18 points and 10 rebounds while Sotto held his own with 10 points, eight rebounds and two blocks on top of a couple of highlight dunks, most of which coming from Clarkson’s assists.
Joining the four are Ray Parks Jr., Kiefer and Thirdy Ravena, Japeth Aguilar, Scottie Thompson, Chris Newsome, Jamie Malonzo and Calvin Oftana.
Tamayo left the country to join his UP Fighting Maroons bound for Korea to play with a series of tuneup games against Korean Basketball League teams.