Dwight Ramos hopes fans bring Gilas energy to B.League Manila games

Gilas Pilipinas and B.League standout Dwight Ramos during a game in the Fiba World CUp 2027 Asian Qualifiers at Mall of Asia Arena. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines–Gilas Pilipinas guard Dwight Ramos felt the electricity of the Filipino crowd inside Mall of Asia Arena during the second round of the 2027 Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers.

He could get a chance to feel that again later this month when the Japan B.League holds two preseason games at the same Pasay venue.

READ: Dwight Ramos hopes Japan B.League Manila games pack MOA Arena

As announced in May, Ramos’ Levanga Hokkaido will take on AJ Edu’s Gunma Crane Thunders twice in Manila as the B.League looks to expand its reach in the Philippines.

Ramos knows a national team game is far different from a B.League game, but that isn’t stopping him from chasing the high he got with Gilas.

Gilas Pilipinas and B.League standout AJ Edu during a game in the Fiba World Cup 2027 Asian qualifiers. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

“I’ve already been talking to AJ about it. We’ll be back in a week,” he told the Inquirer. “I know I’m not expecting the same Gilas crowd but if we can get half of this crowd for me and AJ’s game, it’ll be good.”

“[I’m] not really having much of a trash talk with AJ. It’s preseason. But, if it was the regular season, we’d be more locked in.”

Both Ramos and Edu played crucial roles in the Philippines’ last game of the Asian qualifiers’ fourth window.

Ramos turned in 16 points and seven rebounds in Gilas’ 68-56 win over Iran on Sunday while Edu helped the cause on both ends with eight points, eight rebounds, three blocks and a steal.

On September 9 and 10, though, the two swingmen will face off as Gunma and Levanga meet twice in two days in B.League preseason action.