Gilas Pilipinas star Dwight Ramos hints at possible PBA debut in 2026

Filipino basketball sensation Dwight Ramos is one of the few top Filipino players yet to play in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), and while that may not happen anytime soon, there’s good news for fans of Philippine basketball.

Ramos was originally set to play for the Ateneo Blue Eagles in the UAAP, but the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic cut short his collegiate stint. The 26-year-old chose to forgo his remaining year of eligibility and instead signed with the Toyama Grouses in Japan’s B.League.

In a recent media interaction, Ramos was once again asked about a potential move to the PBA, and the guard did not rule anything out.

“Not this year. So, we’ll see. Maybe next year,” Ramos said.

The shooting guard is entering his fourth year with Levanga Hokkaido in the upcoming 2025–26 B.League season after recently picking up his player option to stay with the franchise.

#WATCH: “WE’RE PLAYING CATCH UP”

Dwight Ramos (@dram0s_) admits Gilas Men are racing against time with the FIBA #AsiaCup just a month away 🏀🇵🇭

📹 @justinebacnis /Tiebreaker Times pic.twitter.com/sBwmApS5Xj

— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) July 7, 2025

Notably, in July 2024, Ramos had shared that playing in the PBA is something he hopes to pursue in the future.

“I think so, eventually. I don’t know when, but hopefully. I think it’s hard playing overseas. It’s not your home country, you don’t feel as comfortable, and then you are by yourself for almost a whole year,” Ramos said.

“And so when you do it over the years, you kind of feel like you are missing out on a lot of things. You’re missing your family — that’s probably what those guys felt, and they just wanted to come home and play in the Philippines. They’re all going to do great here,” he added.

Before returning to Japan for the 2025–26 season, Ramos will first suit up for Gilas Pilipinas in the upcoming 2025 FIBA Asia Cup, set to be held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia from August 5 to 17. The Philippine men’s national team will also face the Macau Bears in a tune-up game on July 28 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum as part of their preparations.

Gilas has been drawn into Group D alongside Iraq, New Zealand, and Chinese Taipei. They will open their campaign against Chinese Taipei on August 6 and are expected to depart for Jeddah by the end of July or the first week of August.

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