IT'S NOT hard to say Roosevelt Adams is the wise bet for the top rookie once the Philippine Basketball Association resumes play, he being the top draft selection living up to his reputation at least in workouts and postseason activities before COVID-19 rudely interrupted PBA Season 45.
"Lahat nagsasabi ang galing. All those who have seen him have only good words for him," said Columbian Dyip top official Bobby Rosales.
A good preview was his stint with the import-laden Mighty Sports team sweeping its way to the Jones Cup crown in Taipei last year.
In the team bannered by Andray Blatche and Renaldo Balkman, the Columbian Dyip incoming freshman had his solid contribution with averages of 6.0 points and 3.1 rebounds per outing.
"He's athletic and can hit the three-point shot," said Rain or Shine coach Caloy Garcia of his review of the Fil-Am player he believes will be a perfect complement to 2019 Rookie of the Year awardee CJ Perez.
Sponsored content:
"All-around player daw; makakatulong sa opensa at depensa. Kaya excited ako talagang makita siya in his PBA debut na na-delay ng COVID pandemic," said Rosales.
Adams, from Yuma, Arizona, played two years with the Mount San Jacinto junior college varsity then suited up two years for the College of Idaho, an NAIA Division 2 school.
The 6-foot-5 player averaged 8.9 points and 7.4 rebounds at Idaho in 2016-17 and 13.1 points and 6.3 rebounds in 2017-18.
If coach Johnedel Cardel gets Adams and Perez to blend well - without seeing a clash of egos - then the Columbian Dyip could well be in for a breakthrough at the resumption of PBA play.
Perez churned out a remarkable PBA rookie year that saw him contend for the Best Player of the Conference honors in each tourney before settling down at season's end for the ROY award and a spot in the Mythical Selection.
Sponsored content:
He led all players in scoring with an average of 20.8 points in 33 games.
But for all Perez' wondrous effort, the Dyip failed to make it past the elims play in all conferences last season.
With the addition of Adams, the Dyip hope to get over the hump. (SB)
