Dwight Ramos has faced New Zealand men’s national basketball team five times in his Gilas Pilipinas career.
He has beaten the Tall Blacks only once — when he was part of the Philippine squad that stunned New Zealand on home soil, 93-89, on November 21, 2024, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The 6-foot-4 winger, who plays professionally for Levanga Hokkaido, knows they have their work cut out for them as Gilas hosts New Zealand on February 26 and Australia men’s national basketball team on March 1.
But the task has become more manageable with Quentin Millora-Brown coming on board.
“I’m glad he’s able to come,” said Ramos. “I just saw it on Twitter, I think, and obviously we needed some size because New Zealand and Australia are two big teams.
“It’s good that he’s back.”
(C) FIBA.basketball
Initially, Millora-Brown and Kai Sotto both begged off from the window. The former’s agent had demands that were not met by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, while Sotto’s club team, Koshigaya Alphas, requested that the federation sit him out for this window.
However, after Bo Perasol — the athletic director of the University of the Philippines — spoke directly to Millora-Brown, the 6-foot-10 center had a change of heart.
Ramos added that Gilas’ camp at Inspire Sports Academy, which concluded last Wednesday, went well.
With Millora-Brown, Kevin Quiambao, and Carl Tamayo arriving, it’s all systems go.
“We just finished the Inspire training camp, and we’re going to be practicing every day leading up to the games. We’re still missing a few guys, but so far so good, and everyone’s playing well,” Ramos said during PLDT’s game against Akari Lighting & Technology Corp. in the PVL on Thursday.
And he can’t wait to lace up when game time arrives.
“I think it’s good — we’re playing at home, we’ve got the home crowd, and based on the past few practices, everyone’s been playing well,” he said.
“I’m excited to see everyone play well and do well.”
#WATCH: WE NEEDED SOME SIZE 🇵🇭 🏀
Dwight Ramos is glad that Quentin Millora-Brown decided to rejoin Gilas for window 2 of the #FIBAWC qualifiers #ReadMore 👉 https://t.co/QLPEtcJvgW
📹 @jonashdcd /Tiebreaker Times#PVL2026 pic.twitter.com/BZvoaUa4p5
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) February 19, 2026
