ROOSEVELT Adams showed a great desire to be part of Gilas Pilipinas before missing the Final 12 for the fourth window of the Fiba Basketball World Cup Asia qualifiers.
Because of that, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) expects to see more of Adams in future Fiba competitions.
[READ: Adams the final cut in Gilas 12-man lineup for Lebanon tie]
SBP executive director and spokesperson Sonny Barrios said Adams became part of the pool after he made his interest known before the start of the build-up.
“Roosevelt came here on his own,” said Barrios in an interview recently. “Nasa Amerika siya at hindi lang nagparamdam, nagpasabi na gusto niya sumama sa pool if he is welcome.”
“And of course, we welcomed him. And true enough, he was picked by the coaching staff led by coach Chot [Reyes],” said Barrios.
Adams, who is currently a free agent, impressed enough in practice to make the trip to Lebanon as part of Gilas Pilipinas’ 13-man pool for the game in Beirut.
The 28-year-old though will have to wait for his Gilas debut as the top overall pick in the 2019 PBA draft was left out of the 12-man lineup on the eve of the away match.
Adams, though, continued to train with the squad before the Lebanon game set on Friday 2 a.m. Philippine time.
Barrios expects that Adams will continue to be in contention for a spot in the Gilas roster in the future.
“Mukhang, ika-nga sa Tagalog, may kinabukasan ‘yung bata sa atin,” said Barrios of the 6-foot-5 Adams.
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