Daven Tamayo

Dwight Ramos lauds Gilas' fighting spirit despite double-OT loss vs NZL

Article (news)

John Franklin Kennedy Caacbay

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1783076095170fsoygfpcf7jot5mpivid.webp" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Gilas Pilipinas&#x27; Dwight Ramos in action. Photo from FIBA</div>Gilas Pilipinas&#x27; Dwight Ramos saw the positives despite the national team&#x27;s double overtime loss against New Zealand in the FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers.The Filipino ballers put up a gallant stand, but fell to the Tall Blacks, 102-106, in their window 3 clash on Friday in Auckland.Ramos said he was proud to see the squad go toe-to-toe against one of the best teams in the world — and they even had the chances to win the match.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2026/7/3/fiba-gilas-pilipinas-puts-up-gallant-stand-but-falls-to-new-zealand-in-2ot-1758">READ: FIBA: Gilas Pilipinas puts up gallant stand, but falls to New Zealand in 2OT </a></div>&quot;It was a good game. It&#x27;s tough when we lose that close, especially when we had chances to win, and then we let it go. But, I&#x27;m very proud because we came here and played against one of the top teams in the world, and we were right there to win the game,&quot; said the Gilas shooter, who dropped 18 points and four rebounds this time.Juan Gomez de Liaño almost won it for the Filipinos, giving them the 93-91 edge late in the second overtime, if not for Shea Ili&#x27;s free throws.They even led 100-96 in the second overtime, but the Tall Blacks proved resilient as well.&quot;We never gave up despite us going down. It was a good game, very proud of the team,&quot; he said.Ramos also took notice of the Filipino support they had, despite playing in an away game in Auckland.&quot;It means a lot. Every where we go, we have almost a home crowd. We never play in an empty gym, really, &#x27;cause there&#x27;re Filipinos everywhere. It means a lot to play for the country, and see all the Filipinos around the world. I never take it for granted and I just try my best and be available, always, for the team,&quot; said the Japan B.League player.The Philippines returns to action against Australia on July 6 in Perth to conclude this round of the regional qualifiers.

Gilas Pilipinas' Dwight Ramos saw the positives despite the national team's double overtime loss against New Zealand in the FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers.

Gilas Pilipinas' Dwight Ramos saw the positives despite the national team's double overtime loss against New Zealand in the FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers.