FILIPINO players’ career movements have significantly changed in the past years, as overseas leagues became an option for many collegiate and pro hoopers.
It all started when Thirdy Ravena became the first Asian Quota import in the Japan B.League in 2020; opening doors for more Philippine talents moving across the globe to play.
Gilas Pilipinas stalwart Dwight Ramos was also among the first Filipinos to sign with Japanese clubs, and just re-upped with Levanga Hokkaido, even as RJ Abarrientos, Dave Ildefonso, and Ravena himself were let go by their ball clubs.
Not long after, Ildefonso and then Abarrientos filed for the 2024 PBA Rookie Draft, further deepening its already-interesting pool. The two are, technically, the first overseas players to return to the time-tested path of going pro in the Philippines.
PBA Draft as the next best option
For Ramos, however, the development amounts to nothing more than players doing what’s best for them.
“I think it’s hard playing overseas. It’s not your home country, you don’t feel as comfortable, and you’re by yourself for like almost the whole year. When you do it over the years, you kinda feel like you’re missing out on a lot of things, you’re missing your family, so sure that’s probably what those guys felt,” he said.
Dwight added: “They just wanted to come home and play in the Philippines and they’re all gonna do great here because it’s their home country and they played here for so long.”
Well, what about him? Does he consider going home, too?
“Eventually,” he answered the media in a mini-press conference organized by Lawson Philippines. “I think so, eventually. I don’t know when, but hopefully.”
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