PLAYING in the PBA after testing the waters overseas remains an option for Dwight Ramos.
“Of course, I’ve always wanted to play in the PBA and just like the locals in Japan, they want to stay in Japan to play there,” Ramos said on Radyo5 92.3 News FM’s Power and Play program hosted by former PBA commissioner Noli Eala.
“I think the same thing goes for us Filipinos, so we’re just hoping that opportunity comes again. We’re hoping that after we’re all done with our stints overseas, we could come back and play in the PBA,” he added.
In a surprising move, the 6-foot-5 Ramos signed a one-year contract as an Asian import with Toyama and joined seven other Filipinos in the Japan B .League.
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 the Japan league provides more opportunities, for now.
“I was thinking about how unstable basketball is in the Philippines right now, so I had to look for another option where I could keep playing. I just think that the basketball scene in Japan is a little more stable right now, compared to the Philippines and the PBA. It’s really hard here. You never know when you can practice, or play games,” Ramos said.
“I was just looking at what’s the best place for me right now to improve, and I think it’s in Japan for now.”
