It happens once in a lifetime.
Getting to wear the national team jersey is an honor, the opportunity comes once in a while given the number of international competitions.
The shot to play at the FIBA World Cup, it happens once every four years—if the squad even makes it past the very difficult qualifiers.
Getting an opportunity to play in the FIBA World Cup right at home? It's the opportunity of a lifetime.
Dwight Ramos is all too aware of this as the Philippine men's national basketball team flies out to Estonia to prepare for the FIBA World Cup.
"I'm super blessed, I feel I'm really lucky," Ramos told News5's Martie Bautista on Thursday night.
"It's the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play here for the [FIBA] World Cup. It's also my first time. I just feel really blessed."
Ramos holds the distinction of having played in every game for Gilas Pilipinas in all six windows of the Asian Qualifiers.
He averaged 12.4 points in ten games, along with 6 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 2.1 steals.
Ramos, who also plays for Levanga Hokkaido in the Japan B.League, will be expected to be one of the leaders for Gilas Pilipinas.
The Philippines is in Group A, and will be competing in rematches against Italy, Angola, and the Dominican Republic at the Philippine Arena and the Smart Araneta Coliseum.