Gilas coach Tim Cone could not risk Dwight Ramos’ health knowing the latter will fly to Japan and continue representing Levanga Hokkaido in the B.League.
Desperate to see Dwight Ramos strut his stuff on the court, fans inside the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay went vocal with their desire for him to be fielded in just when Gilas Pilipinas' game against Hong Kong in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers was already decided in the final minutes.
“We want Dwight!” the crowd erupted, hoping head coach Tim Cone would give in to their request.
As much as he wanted to oblige, Cone did not give in.
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Cone’s hands were tied, after all, with Ramos nursing a left calf injury he sustained in the third period of the Nationals' 93-89 win over New Zealand last Thursday, Nov. 21.
"I love Dwight. I’m like all the girls: I love Dwight. I just love him for different reasons. I love him for his basketball mind and his talent, he’s got an incredible basketball mind," said Cone with a smile after his squad's 93-54 rout of Hong Kong on Sunday, Nov. 24.
"I, more than anybody, would want him on the floor. I guarantee you that. I wasn't holding him out for other reasons from the fact he pulled his calf muscle in the late stages of the New Zealand game."
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Ramos did try to join the team in the pre-game shootaround at the arena, hoping he would feel better. Unfortunately, there was still some pain.
"He tried to practice yesterday. He tried to do our shootaround today. We weren't sure until he came to the game, he said he's going to try to warm up and see how it was. But he was still feeling pain,” said Cone.
Dwight Ramos is on the sidelines during Gilas Pilipinas' second window duel with Hong Kong in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers on Sunday, Nov. 24. | Photo (c) RM Chua/One Sports
The veteran tactician simply could not let Ramos risk his health knowing he still needs to return to Japan and represent Levanga Hokkaido.
“To be honest, I would have pushed him harder to play if we were playing New Zealand. But we felt we could rest him and be careful with him in this game,” Cone said.
“That’s best for him because he’s going back to Japan and keep his career going. We didn’t want to blow that calf out.”