By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Help is coming for Gilas Pilipinas.
As the men’s basketball national team is still finalizing its official roster heading into the 2023 FIBA World Cup Asia first qualifying window headed by Chot Reyes, some familiar names will be boosting the team and confirmed their availability to play and represent the country.
Dwight Ramos, one of the brightest Gilas young cadets who turned heads last year during their FIBA campaign, will be joining the Reyes-led pool and will come home from Japan.
Ramos is currently under contract with the Toyama Grouses in the Japan B. League and is playing as an Asian import for the stacked squad.
However, with almost a month of break in Toyama’s playing schedule, coach Reyes himself announced Ramos’ arrival in the Philippines to join his team during Spin.ph’s Zoom In Show.
Ramos was one of the steadiest and most consistent Gilas players during their 2021 campaign, playing multiple positions while also claiming the role of a leader as tasked by former head coach Tab Baldwin.
During the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers, Ramos averaged an impressive 13.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game before getting the attention of the Japan B. League.
Aside from Ramos, his old pal Juan Gomez de Liaño will also be making his return to the national team who is also an Asian import in Japan.
Ramos and de Liaño were both members of the Gilas team that competed during the Manama bubble where they swept all of their games.
However, the duo will be seeking some familiarity in the squad and will look to jell and form a cohesive unit together with Reyes’ TNT Tropang Giga team selection.
