REIGNING three-time UAAP champion Ateneo remains formidable despite the departure of one key, if not its best player.
But former Ateneo guard Dwight Ramos is convinced the Tab Baldwin-mentored Blue Eagles still have what it takes to pull off a four-peat.
“Even without me, that team is really strong, and they have a lot of new guys,” Ramos said last Saturday on Radyo5 92.3 News FM’s Power and Play program hosted by former PBA Commissioner Noli Eala.
“Everybody’s just been working hard so I think even without me that team is gonna be super strong too,” he added.
In a stunning turn of events, the 6-foot-5 Ramos signed a one-year contract as an Asian import by Toyama, joining seven other Filipinos in the B.League.
The likes of Kiefer Ravena of the Shiga Lakestars, Bobby Ray Parks Jr. of Nagoya, Kobe Paras of Niigata Albirex BB, Juan Gomez de Liaño of Tokyo Z, Javi Gomez de Liaño of Ibakari, and Kenmark Carino of Aomori are the other Filipino dribblers set to see action in Japan.
Thirdy Ravena was the first Filipino to play in the Japan league last year for San-En NeoPhoenix.
Ramos, 23, said Ateneo would have won its fourth straight crown if the last season had not been scrapped.
“To be honest, in my opinion, I think we would have won the title for sure,” Ramos said.
He would have also wanted to suit up alongside younger brother Eli but he has no regrets, saying he is excited to watch the Eagles in the 84th UAAP basketball tournament which the league plans to launch in February next year.
“I really wanted to play for Ateneo because I really wanted to play with my brother there and share that whole Ateneo and UAAP experience,” he said.
“I’m excited to watch them when the season starts.”
Ateneo still has naturalized player Ange Kouame, SJ Belangel, Gian Mamuyac, Tyler Tio, Raffy Verano, Jolo Mendoza, Matthew Daves, and transferee Dave Ildefonso.
