ALTHOUGH he is relishing the opportunity to play against fellow Filipino cagers in Japan, Dwight Ramos insisted he still must prove he has what it takes.
“Every time I go out there, I feel like I got to prove myself. I’ve only played a couple of games for Gilas and didn’t get to play in the UAAP,” Ramos said on the sports show The Game.
“I’m still relatively new to the Filipino basketball scene. I’m hoping that this year, I’m going to solidify my name in the Philippines,” he added.
In an unexpected turn of events, the 6-foot-5 guard, who initially was set to suit up for reigning three-time UAAP champion Ateneo, was signed to a one-year contract as an Asian import by Toyama last week, 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 he is ready to face his compatriots in the Japan league that is fast turning out to be the destination for Filipino players.
“I don’t know. I can’t even tell you just one person. Every game against our fellow Filipinos, I’m ready to play against them,” Ramos said.
“So, I’m really excited to go up against all of them.”
He averaged 13.8 points, on top of 6.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists for the Gilas Pilipinas in the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers.
Ramos is also excited to show his wares overseas.
“For sure. I’m really excited. Some of them, I haven’t played against and haven’t really played with that much,” he said.
