COLUMN: Gilas Pilipinas got the Dwight man for the job

COLUMN: Gilas Pilipinas got the Dwight man for the job

CHICAGO - Recruited out of Walnut City in the outskirts of Los Angeles back in 2017, Dwight Ramos was going to be the next big UAAP star.

At 6-foot-4, 210 lbs., with excellent court vision and feel for the game, he was envisioned to be at the forefront of perhaps another Ateneo dynasty.

And with his sun-baked California smile and Hollywood good looks to go along with those mad balling skills, he was destined for fame in a way that would transcend the sport.

dwight ramos taiwan mustangs

PHOTO: Jerome Ascano

But in the mystery of God's ways, Ramos never really nested as a Blue Eagle in Katipunan. A pandemic and a series of uncontrollable events robbed fans of the opportunity to see him play in the UAAP.

Life detoured his path to the Japan B.League where he just came off a productive 2023-24 season averaging 10.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in 43 games with Levanga Hokkaido.

But actually, Dwight never really left the Philippines. Since arriving five years ago, he's been a Gilas Pilipinas mainstay, serving the country proudly.

ALL EYES ON DWIGHT.

Now, he's "back in the high life again." And to paraphrase that Steve Winwood classic, all the eyes that watched him once will take him in again.

Apparently, Tim Cone liked what he saw and designated the Fil-Am from West Covina as the primary ball handler of a triangle offense that doesn't require a true point guard.

READ: Scottie stand-in Dwight Ramos long groomed by coach Tab for PG role

"I'm really just bringing the ball up and initiating coach Tim Cone's offense. Once it's started, everyone is almost interchangeable," he told me via text message from exotic Istanbul.

"It's not like other offenses where you see the point guard at the top creating. I have no problem moving the ball up, that's why I was moved to the backcourt," he added.

That, he'll do, plus whatever else is required - whether that be dish assists, grab rebounds, defend, steal, and block. Heck, Ramos is so versatile he can probably drive the team bus, too.

"He has true international size in the guard position and through his physical strength and basketball IQ, is able to impact the game at any level," Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin told me.

"He will rack up numbers across the stat sheet, but his true impact isn't felt on the stat sheet. Dwight has that most valuable of all player qualities: making his teammates better."

UNITED THEY STAND. DIVIDED THEY FALL.

At the same time, though, Baldwin emphasized that Dwight, or any one player, cannot carry Gilas. The daunting task that lies ahead in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament demands a total team effort on both ends of the floor.

First stop in this uphill two-game sortie at Riga Arena is the Latvian national team.

"We watched them. They play very fast and look to shoot a lot of threes. So making sure we can play our pace is crucial," Ramos assessed.

Given the length and speed of the Latvians, the Philippines' pace needs to be breakneck. In the words of UCLA coaching legend John Wooden: "be quick but don't hurry."

As for the spotlight shining on him and the weight of expectations from a fanbase crazy for its basketball, Dwight is unperturbed, secure in the knowledge that his past experiences will unburden him.

"I always try to be ready and be as prepared as I can for Gilas games. I haven't played since April, but if you give me a month to prepare for anything I can get ready for anything," he said.

Tough road ahead.

But we have faith in Dwight Ramos, coach Tim, and the rest of Gilas.