After being away from the country for the past six months, Roosevelt Adams returned back home on Tuesday evening.
And it’s because the 28-year-old Filipino-American sniper is answering the call of duty.
Adams, a free agent over the past few months, was one of the 24 names called upon to compose Gilas Pilipnas’ pool for the 2023 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers’ fourth window.
Excited is an understatement when asked about what he felt about the call to come back home.
It was a moment that was three years in the making for the 6-foot-5 guard.
“I was very excited. Getting the chance to represent the Philippines is always a blessing,” he told Tiebreaker Times.
“It’s like a dream come true since I finally get to represent my mom and my grandparents. Just having this chance is truly a blessing.”
Adams had always disclosed that he got his Philippine passport when he was just nine years young.
Since then, he has represented the country a couple of times, playing for Basilan during the Hongxiang Holdings Group Haining FIBA 3×3 Challenger 2019 and Mighty Philippines during the 2020 Dubai International Basketball Tournament.
But despite his high upside, he was only called to be part of a Gilas pool this year.
This time around, he gets to reunite with Thirdy Ravena and Jamie Malonzo — two guys he played for with Mighty Sports.
What excites him the most though is playing alongside Kai Sotto and Jordan Clarkson.
“This will be my first time teaming up with them. I’m very excited to play alongside them.”
Currently, Adams has no team after opting to not re-sign with Terrafirma last January.
Still, what matters to him right now is making it to the final 12 either on the 25th against Lebanon or on the 29th against Saudi Arabia.
“I’m very motivated to be a part of the final 12. I’m just blessed to even be in this situation and have the chance to represent.”
