A fit-again Dwight Ramos is ready to lead Gilas Pilipinas' final push for Paris 2024 with the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Latvia.
Whenever Gilas Pilipinas duties come knocking, you can count on Dwight Ramos to always have a go at it.
“The [FIBA] Olympic Qualifying Tournament is coming up and that’s something fun for me,” Ramos said in a B.League interview looking back on his recent season in Japan.
Ramos has been included in the 11-man roster of Gilas Pilipinas who is set to compete in the FIBA OQT in Riga, facing up against world no. 6 Latvia and world no. 23 Georgia in pool play.
As part of the preparations, Ramos went off in a send-off exhibition match against the Taiwan Mustangs, pouring a 19-3-4 stat line in a 74-64 win before going to Europe.
[ALSO READ: Dwight Ramos leads Gilas Pilipinas in win vs. Taiwan Mustangs ahead of FIBA OQ]
With the absence of superstar guard Scottie Thompson, Ramos is expected to step up as one of Gilas Pilipinas' primary playmakers.
"We’re going to have Dwight to help us out on the backcourt. He played the wing for us when we had Scottie, but he’s moving to the backcourt,” Cone said.
[ALSO READ: FIBA OQT: In absence of Scottie Thompson, Dwight Ramos to take on point guard role for Gilas]
Gilas Men will open their campaign against Latvia on July 4, Thursday (PH time).
Meanwhile, an injury-riddled second season in Japan with Levanga Hokkaido didn’t stop Dwight from posting a career-high 10.7 points per game, appearing in 43 contests.
The Gilas Pilipinas fan favorite suffered an orbital fracture that required a season-ending surgery last April 13 against the Utsunomiya Brex.
[ALSO READ: B.League: Hokkaido's Dwight Ramos out indefinitely with orbital fracture]
Before that though, Ramos was named team captain of the Asia All-Stars in the B.League's annual All-Star Weekend in Okinawa.
[ALSO READ: B.LEAGUE: Captain Dwight leads All-Star first-timers in Asia Rising Star Game]
Hokkaido finished with a 17-43 win-loss record and missed the playoffs, but Ramos relished the on-and-off court moments he spent with the squad throughout the season.
"It’s just nice being around everybody. Everyone’s in a good mood and that’s probably like the off the court, [my] favorite moment. I know this is the end of season but it still means a lot to me.”
So much so that he signed a contract extension to stay in Hokkaido for the 2024-25 season, marking the third straight year St. Dwight will play with the squad located in northern Japan.
[ALSO READ: Dwight Ramos stays in Japan's B.League after fresh contract with Levanga Hokkaido]