Roosevelt Adams the last cut as Gilas unveils final roster vs. Lebanon

Roosevelt Adams is the last player cut from Gilas' lineup vs. Lebanon. PBA Images (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANDALUYONG—Roosevelt Adams will sit out Gilas' early Friday (Philippine Time) showdown against Lebanon in the fourth window of the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers as he has been cut from the final roster.

As announced by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas on Thursday, Coach Chot Reyes chose Jamie Malonzo, Chris Newsome, Japeth Aguilar, Calvin Oftana, Scottie Thompson, Jordan Clarkson, Kiefer Ravena, Thirdy Ravena, Bobby Ray Parks, Carl Tamayo, Dwight Ramos, and Kai Sotto to play for Gilas in an anticipated battle against Lebanon, the surprise runner-up in the recent FIBA Asia Cup.

"Our Gilas Pilipinas Men's National Basketball Team is raring to go all out for flag and country,” said SBP executive director and spokesman Sonny Barrios. "Each one, to the last man, is fully committed to giving his very best, inspired by the support and prayers of his countrymen. Let us continue to wish them well and cheer them on as they play for all of us away from home."

Expected to lead the charge for Gilas are Sotto and Clarkson, the two latest additions to the senior team's roster on the road to the FIBA World Cup that the Philippines will co-host with Japan and Indonesia next year.

Assistant Coach Tim Cone, who handled the Gilas training on Monday prior to the team's departure to Beirut, was satisfied on how the two internationally-based players fared during practices despite their short time there.

“Kai has been very, very impressive... at this level, he’s a real deal. Having Kai protecting the rim for us, it’s making a big, big difference,” Cone said of the seven-foot-three Sotto.

Meanwhile, Cone said that Clarkson transitioned beautifully to Reyes' dribble-drive system as his NBA team, the Utah Jazz, is running a similar style of play.

“JC knows the offense already. He runs dribble-drive in Utah, he’s done it before. He’s very comfortable with it so I don’t think that’s going to be an issue for us. He already understands the principles, so he’s stepping in really easy,” Cone further said.

Wael Arakji will lead the Lebanese squad, which also consists of Jonathan Arledge, Elie Chamoun, Karim Ezzedine, Hayk Gyokchyan, Gerard Hadidian, Ali Haidar, Yousef Khayat, Ali Mansour, Ali Mezher, Amir Saoud, and Karim Zeinoun.

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