DO-it-all wingman Dwight Ramos, by all accounts, is proving his worth with Gilas Pilipinas in the 19th FIBA World Cup.
Aside from naturalized star Jordan Clarkson, the 6-foot-4 Ramos is the most consistent Filipino cager after the group stage of the global basketball showpiece with averages of 11.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, and two assists in three outings.
National coach Chot Reyes described Ramos, who plays for Levanga Hokkaido in the fledgling Japan B.League, as a “complete package.”
“(He’s) a great complement to Jordan (Clarkson) and it’s not only his scoring but everything he does,” Reyes said.
“The way he defends and rebounds, everything, makes him a complete package,” he added.
Ramos’ impressive showing for the Philippine five is a result of his hard work in the off-season, according to Reyes.
“When he came here to start our training camp, I remember he told me he was in the best shape of his career because of all the off-season work he did while he was away and it’s showing in his games,” Reyes said.
“That’s a product of all his hard work. Even in the offseason, even if he’s not here, even if he’s in California, in LA, he continues working.”
Gilas battled South Sudan in a crucial tiff in the Group M of the 17th to 32nd place classification round at press time last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The nationals will wind up their campaign in the World Cup against China tomorrow, Saturday, also at the Big Dome.
Brazil, Georgia, Greece, Puerto Rico, Serbia, Slovenia joined Australia, the Dominican Republic, Italy, Canada, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Montenegro, Spain, and the United States in the next stage.
The Serbians whipped South Sudan 115-83 and Puerto Rico blasted China 107-89 in Group B action last Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The US ripped Jordan 110-62, while Greece repulsed New Zealand 83-74 in Group C at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
In Okinawa, Georgia shackled Venezuela 70-59 and Slovenia dismantled Cape Verde 92-77 in Group F.
Brazil trounced Cí´te d’Ivoire 89-77 and Spain made short work of Iran 85-65 in Group G in Jakarta.
