DUBAI – Roosevelt Adams made a case as the next great two-way wingman the Philippines and the PBA can turn to.
The Filipino-American prospect took his turn to flash his potential by delivering on both ends in Mighty Sports’ 86-78 win over the United Arab Emirates national team on Saturday night in the Dubai Basketball Championship.
Adams was on target with 18 points after making all but one of his eight shots – including both his three-point attempts, on top of two steals, and one rebound without committing a single turnover in less than 19 minutes off the bench.
“I like the way Adams played today,” Mighty coach Charles Tiu said. “He was solid defensively. He missed a shot. He played excellent defense. He played so hard, he hustled hard.”
That solid performance validated Tiu’s thoughts in a previous interview, comparing the College of Idaho product to national player and San Miguel Beer triggerman Marcio Lassiter as far as being a sniper while also being a solid defender.
“Adams is maybe like a Lassiter who’s taller minus the dribbling of Marcio,” Tiu said. “Shooting-wise, he doesn’t release like Marcio, pero dahil 6’5” siya, he can get his shot up anytime.”
“I’m not saying he’s as good as Marcio, don’t get me wrong, but the comparison of being able to defend and can shoot the three-ball, I think he’s like (Marcio),” he added of the Fil-Am gunner whose mom, Anita, is from Manila.
Adams, who found his way to the Mighty Sports roster through an agent who knows assistant coach Jong Uichico, is just making the most of his international stint with the Philippine representative to the annual invitational tournament.
“I’m very fortunate,” Adams said. “Not many players get a chance to play for the country. I’m lucky to be one of them.”
“I love to shoot,” he added. “I’m an athlete. I like to rebound, defend whoever you need me to defend. I do all the guard’s work. Coach tells me what to do, I’ll do it,” he added.
Adams tries to keep delivering on both ends as Mighty Sports plays for the third straight night, this time against Homenetmen of Lebanon on Sunday at 9 p.m. (1 a.m., Monday, Manila time).
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