Ramos confident of Gilas’ chances
Young gun Dwight Ramos said recently he realizes Gilas will be up against a souped-up Indonesian team in the coming FIBA Asia Cup third qualifying window at Clark but is confident of bringing down coach Rajko Toroman’s squad just the same when the Southeast Asian rivals clash on June 18. In the first window last year, the Philippines crushed Indonesia, 100-70, but Ramos had seven PBA teammates along with Thirdy Ravena and naturalized import Lester Prosper wasn’t in the loser’s lineup.
“I like our chances,” said Ramos, averaging 12.7 points in three qualifying games so far. “I’m confident. We’re young, we’re learning the right way to play together. Some of the guys haven’t played at the men’s level before and they’re excited to show what they can do. Our coaches Tab (Baldwin), Jong (Uichico), Boyet (Fernandez) and the others are motivating us, helping us out.”
Ramos said he expects a tough assignment against Indonesia with Prosper in harness. Gilas, however, has an answer in newly-naturalized Ange Kouame and Kai Sotto. “It’ll be a great matchup between Ange and Prosper,” he said on the online sports show PlayItRightTV. “Ange makes our life easier out there, he rebounds, defends, shoots and complements all of us. He’s a force inside defensively that anybody who drives will think twice about trying to finish around him.”
Ramos, 22, said the four Gilas teammates he’d choose to go to war with on the court are Matt and Mike Nieto, Isaac Go and Carl Tamayo. “The Nieto brothers got your back,” he said. “Isaac has the brain and Carl’s a fighter, I love his fighting spirit.” But Matt was ruled out of the Gilas lineup with a broken hand a few days ago. When the UAAP begins next year, Ramos said he can’t wait to play for Ateneo. “I’m happy with my decision to come out here to improve my game with coach Tab,” said the 6-4 guard who played D-1 and D-2 hoops in the US. “It was Ateneo or nothing. A lot of eyes will be on the UAAP when we return and if we can show how we made it, how we survived the pandemic, I think it’ll be inspiring and it’ll bring the fans back to playing and watching sports.”
(From The Philippine Star)
Watch the interview with Dwight Ramos here.