Dwight Ramos is poised to make history as the only local player to suit up for the Philippines in every window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
If he is selected to be part of the team’s final lineup for the sixth and final window, Ramos will have played a vital role in helping his team advance to the next round.
In an interview, Ramos attributed his consistent inclusion in the Gilas squads to the coaching staff’s trust in him. He also expressed his determination to repay their faith and help the team deliver in their final matches against Jordan and Lebanon.
“I’m feeling pretty happy. The coaches chose me every time so far, so hopefully, I can keep showing them that I can help and hopefully get picked again,” said Ramos, who is averaging 13.4 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.7 assists.
The Philippines is set to take on Lebanon on February 24 at the Philippine Arena before facing Jordan on February 27 at the same venue. Ramos said that the team is looking to get back at Lebanon and sweep Jordan to finish the qualifiers strong.
(C) FIBA.basketball
“We know they beat us, Lebanon beat us, so they’re trying to win, and we’ll try and get another one over Jordan here, show them our homecourt,” added the 6-foot-4 all-around winger.
Despite suffering from a right ankle injury that sidelined him for 19 games in the Japan B.League, Ramos is confident that he will be up and ready for Gilas in the final window. The same injury also forced him to miss the Rising Star game last January 17.
“If I don’t think about it, it’s 100 percent. That’s all I need to do,” Ramos assured.
Ramos’s impressive performance and unwavering dedication to the team have made him an integral part of Gilas. His presence on the court has been a game-changer for the Philippines, helping the team secure crucial wins and cementing his place in the country’s basketball history.
As Ramos prepares for the final window, the Filipino basketball community eagerly anticipates his next move. With his talent and dedication, there’s no doubt that Ramos will continue to make waves on and off the court, paving the way for the next generation of Filipino basketball players.
