Roosevelt Adams is set to make his Gilas Pilipinas Men debut on Monday when the Philippines takes on Saudi Arabia to close out their campaign in Window 4 of the 2023 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers at SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Adams, 28, is a 6-foot-5 sniper who is currently a free agent.
The first overall pick in the 2019 PBA Rookie Draft will replace Carl Tamayo.
Tamayo, who only logged 11 minutes in Gilas’ 85-81 loss to the Cedars in Zouk Mikael last Friday, will fly out of the country with University of the Philippines on Sunday for their camp in South Korea.
(C) FIBA.basketball
The rest of the team will be composed of Jordan Clarkson, Dwight Ramos, Kai Sotto, Japeth Aguilar, Scottie Thompson, Chris Newsome, Kiefer Ravena, Bobby Ray Parks Jr., Jamie Malonzo, Calvin Oftana, and Thirdy Ravena.
During the Lebanon game, Clarkson (37 minutes), Ramos (34), Sotto (31), Aguilar (30), and Thompson (19) logged the heaviest minutes for Gilas. The reigning PBA MVP was a game-high minus-nine.
Head coach of the hosts will still be Chot Reyes.
Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, is coming off a 65-80 loss to the Tall Blacks in Dammam. They fell to 1-4 in the standings.
Gilas is 2-3 in Group E for fourth place. Above the Philippines are New Zealand (5-0), Lebanon (4-1), and Jordan (3-2). India is 0-5.
The Philippines is already assured a seat in the Worlds as it is hosting the event along with Japan and Indonesia.
