FOR years, Filipino fans watched the B.League and the growing number of homegrown stars making names for themselves in Japan from afar — whether through streams or highlights
This September, the action finally comes closer to home.
Dwight Ramos' Levanga Hokkaido and AJ Edu's Gunma Crane Thunders are bringing their preseason showdown to SM Mall of Asia Arena on September 9 and 10, with Ramos leading the homecoming also shaping up to be a celebration bigger than basketball itself.
The two-game showcase marks the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Japan, while also celebrating a decade-long relationship between Filipino basketball and the B.League dating back to the onset of the Asian Quota era.
“I’m hoping to be there,” Ramos said. “This is a chance to experience two teams you just watch on the screen live in Mall of Asia.”
READ: We ask Dwight Ramos: any chance of joining next PBA draft?
For many Filipino fans, Ramos has become the face of the country’s growing footprint in Japan basketball, a movement that has seen several Gilas Pilipinas players thrive in the B.League over the last decade.
Japan and Philippine friendship
The Manila games, organized in cooperation with the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas and the PBA, further highlight how intertwined the basketball cultures of both countries have become.
“With this kind of initiative, we’ll be able to witness live basketball action and interaction between two countries,” said SBP official Ryan Gregorio.
For his part, PBA commissioner Willie Marcial stressed that the significance of the event goes beyond the games themselves.
“This is a bridge for Philippines and Japan,” he said. “Through basketball, we create good relationships.”
B.League executive officer Nao Okamoto led the announcement event in SM Megamall on Thursday.
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