THE cloud of uncertainties hounding the 84th UAAP season prompted Dwight Ramos to leave Ateneo and turn pro in Japan.
“It’s just the situation here and the uncertainty of the UAAP. I don’t know when that is going to happen,” Ramos said on the online show The Game.
“I just really need to keep playing because it is really hard to play in the gym,” 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, signed to a one-year contract as an Asian import with 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 can’t stay idle for too long.
“I’m just looking forward to getting to that, consistent practice and games,” Ramos said. “That’s what I was looking for.
Linking up with the Grouses, who wound up with a 39-21 card last season, wound only make Ramos better.
Toyama advanced to the playoffs but fell to No. 4 Ryukyu in the quarterfinals.
“Then, I found a good team, one of the top teams in the B. League,” he said. “They wanted me so that’s how it all happened.”
