DWIGHT Ramos returns to the place he once called home, as Gilas Pilipinas plays at the Blue Eagle Gym on Monday against Guam in the FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
Prior to becoming a star player for the Philippine national team, as well as the Japan B.League, Ramos committed to Ateneo in 2019.
He never got to play for the Blue Eagles in the UAAP, however, as COVID-19 pressed pause on all local tournaments.
Still, the 6-foot-4 wing was so good that he was able to land a spot in the Gilas program then headed by Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin and played in the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers in 2021.
That strong showing with the national team eventually became Ramos’ ticket to play in Japan, eventually opting to skip his UAAP stint to sign with the Toyoma Grouses.
Ramos, who now plays for the Levanga Hokkaido in the B.League, is excited to play at the recently refurbished Blue Eagle Gym, especially with the Ateneo community expected to watch with the game right inside their nest.
“The gym is much nicer than when I was here, so it’s going to be fun,” said Ramos after he got to experience the renovated venue during Gilas practice. “I think I heard that the tickets are sold out. I’m pretty sure this place will be packed and loud.”
Dwight remembers the grind
Ramos recalled his experience with brother Eli during their days with the Ateneo Team B, when he was serving residency to be eligible for the UAAP.
“Being with my brother, we had a crazy schedule where we’d go to class, like start at 8 a.m. until maybe like 1. And then, 1 o’clock to 4 o’clock is Team B practice. And then we get 30 minutes to eat and then start the practice with the Team A, 5 to 8, and then get home by like 9 or 10. So, we were doing that every day,” said Ramos of the time when he had to balance athletics and academics.
Ramos said he has no more recollection of any game suiting up as a Blue Eagle - and all he remembers is the grind he had to go through to be better each and every day.
“There’s a lot of games, but… I don't want to be like bragging or anything, but there’s times where I just wake up like after three hours of sleep and then just play,” he said.
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