Dwight Ramos says Gilas ‘learning a lot playing against Europeans’

With at least four tuneup matches already in Gilas Pilipinas' belt, wingman Dwight Ramos feels the national team is getting the training it needs as part of its build up for the 2023 FIBA World Cup this August.

The Philippine team dropped its first two matches against Estonia and Finland in Tallin last week. But a day after its first practice since arriving in Kaunas, Lithuania, Gilas finally, registered back-to-back wins, courtesy of its 70-61 triumph over Ukraine's under-20 team on Saturday, before repeating, 84-74 in their rematch 24 hours days after.

Gilas Pilipinas’ Dwight Ramos FIBA PHOTO

The 6-foot-4 Ramos said there's definitely a big difference playing against European players as compared to American or even Asian teams.

“Everything happens so fast (playing against Europeans). It really tests your mind and you need to make sure you know what you're doing,” Ramos told One Sports' Carlo Pamintuan in an interview that appeared at the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas Facebook page.

Estonia and Finland sure gave Gilas trouble with its ball pressure, that saw the national team turn the ball over an average 19 times per contest.

“It (games) definitely tested us and it's all (great) learning for us,” he added.

But the sweet-shooting Levanga Hokkaido guard/forward said the two-month preparation gives Gilas enough time to learn to play together and adjust to the international style of play before plunging to action against Dominican Republic in the opening day of the 2023 FIBA World Cup on August 25 at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.

“The fact that we're starting two months before the actual World Cup, I think that's the biggest part because it gives us time to work on stuff we need to work on especially with all these games,” he stressed.

The Japan B.League Asian import added Gilas' weakness will be exposed through these tuneup matches.

Ramos is expected to play a key role for Gilas, should he make the final cut, being a versatile player, who could slash to the basket or shoot from beyond the arc.