Cardel raring to see top pick Adams pair up with CJ Perez to lead Columbian

PBA Rookie Draft top pick Roosevelt Adams goes to Columbian. PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines—Columbian hit the lottery jackpot in the 2019 PBA Rookie Draft.

Not only did it get to choose first in the special Gilas draft and selected Ateneo stretch 4 Isaac Go, the Dyip were also able to get sharp shooting wing Roosevelt Adams as the first overall pick.

While Go won’t be able to join the Dyip immediately since he will be first loaned to Gilas, Adams will be able to boost the team right away and partner up with 2018’s top overall pick CJ Perez once the new season starts.

Dyip head coach Johnedel Cardel couldn’t help but get excited with the prospect of having the athletic 6-foot-1 Perez pair up with the systematic 6-foot-5 Adams.

“I’m excited to see him and CJ play because it’s very exciting and we’re a run and gun team,” said Cardel Wednesday in a phone interview with Inquirer.

“Roose is the complete package, a very agile player in the 3 or 4 position, an in-and-out threat and he shoots at a very high percentage.”

Cardel added that Adams won’t be the only one in the duo to take command of the long range buckets as he expects Perez to get his share of three-pointers.

Perez barely made a three-pointer in a game during the Philippine Cup but the Rookie of the Year candidate eventually became a legitimate long range threat, making around a couple per match in the next two conferences.

Cardel said Perez’s improved shooting was thanks to the athletic guard’s stint with Gilas Pilipinas in the Fiba World Cup.

“CJ is CJ, he developed his shooting and coming from the Fiba World Cup gave him a lot of confidence,” said Cardel who also expects a lot of things from veteran Aldrech Ramos.

“We won’t be relying on CJ all the time so that’s why there’s Roose and Aldrech who can take charge as a veteran.”