One more flight with Zaid Abbas.
Scoring machine Dar Tucker, the naturalized player for Jordan who gave Gilas Pilipinas plenty of grief during the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, will not be suiting up for the Falcons later this month.
Jordan on Wednesday announced its extended roster for the FIBA World Cup and Pinoy basketball fans certainly perked up seeing one familiar name on the list—Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.
And it makes sense for the Falcons to select TNT Tropang Giga's 2023 PBA Best Import of the Conference and Governors' Cup champion import.
RHJ has experience playing for the Brooklyn Nets, the Toronto Raptors, and the Portland Trail Blazers. It could provide valuable insights as Jordan has been drawn in a very tough Group C against USA, Greece, and New Zealand.
Maybe this is Tucker's turn to play in the Philippines. He did ask coaches to pick him since he would be free.
The Falcons will also bank on their experience as 39-year-old Zaid Abbas will suit up once again for Jordan.
But the main man to watch will no doubt be Freddy Ibrahim, listed by FIBA as Fadi Mustafar. The 26-year-old point guard, who averaged 10.2 points and 7.3 assists during the qualifiers, is expected to be the ultimate playmaker for the Falcons.
And he will also have plenty of reliable big men and shooters in Ahmad Al Dwairi and Amin Abu Hawwas.
Jordan will first face Greece on August 26 at the Mall of Asia Arena, followed by New Zealand on August 28, and finally the USA on August 30.
(GM)