DWIGHT Ramos is excited to go up against Jericho Cruz when Gilas Pilipinas takes on Guam in its opening game in the first window of the FIBA World Cup qualifiers.
The 27-year-old guard said he’s friends with the tough-playing guard and now faces the possibility of defending him in the away tie at the UOG Calvo Field House on Nov. 28.
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The Fil-Am from West Covina, California said he usually chats with Cruz whenever he catches San Miguel Beer games when he’s in the country.
“I talk with Jericho because when I watch the games, I’m always impressed with how he plays with San Miguel. So I talk with Jericho a lot,” said Ramos of Cruz, named Finals MVP when the Beermen regained the PBA Philippine Cup title last season.
Cruz has become one of the key players in his third year with Guam. He averages 10.8 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 4.1 assists in Fiba-sanctioned tournaments and led Guam to a first-ever win in Asia Cup history - a 82-73 victory over Syria last August.
The 35-year-old guard out of Adamson is also coming off a 24-point explosion in the Beermen’s 158-117 blowout of Titan Ultra heading to the All-Filipino Cup break for the FIBA window.
Having seen how Cruz plays, Ramos is ready for the tough challenge ahead including some trash talking on the side from the San Miguel Beer guard.
“I’m excited to see him play,” he said. “I respect his game and we’ll see how it goes.”
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