Dwight Ramos is skipping this weekend’s matches of his team in Japan’s B.League to join Gilas Pilipinas’ preparation for the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers set later this month.
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Al Panlilio said Ramos is due to arrive Friday and is expected to head to Malarayat in Lipa City, Batangas the following day where coach Chot Reyes set up a training bubble for both Gilas and TNT.
Ramos had been spending the past few months playing for the Toyama Grouses, but a clause in his contract allows the former Ateneo star to play for Gilas during the FIBA windows.
“I’m excited to come back and play for the Philippines, represent my country and also represent Toyama as I go on and play my best there,” Ramos said in a video message posted by the Grouses.
The 6-foot-4 guard had produced solid numbers for Toyama, averaging 9.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 25 games, playing primarily as a player who provides a spark off the bench.
He has helped the Grouses turn things around after a flat start, but still holds a 13-20 record for eighth in the B.League’s West division.
Ramos last saw action for Gilas in the third window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers in Pampanga as he failed to see action in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Serbia due to an injury.
His arrival will give Ramos plenty of time to familiarize himself with the system of coach Chot Reyes, who was brought back to handle the Gilas sidelines after Tab Baldwin stepped down to focus on the Ateneo program.
Toyama will play minus Ramos for their two away matches against the Ibaraki Robots for the final set of games before the B.League takes a break due to the World Cup Qualifiers.
The B.League will resume in early-March.