Dwight Ramos carried the scoring cudgels for Gilas Pilipinas as Justin Brownlee struggled against Iraq in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
On the night Justin Brownlee struggled, Gilas Pilipinas turned to Dwight Ramos.
Ramos did not disappoint as he topscored for 21 points to fuel Gilas’ 66-57 win over Iraq in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Saturday, Aug. 9. (Manila time)
Ramos ignited Gilas' pivotal 22-7 assault in the third period, pouring 10 points in that run to help the team establish a 55-37 lead.
He thus helped the Nationals get a new lease on life in the continental meet, where they will face the No. 2 seed in Group C to move to the qualification phase for the quarterfinals.
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Brownlee, who erupted for 37 points in Gilas' previous match against New Zealand, struggled with a 3-for-12 shooting for just eight points in nearly 33 minutes of play.
Asked whether he felt the need to step up when Brownlee was being hounded by the Iraqis' defense, Ramos answered in the negative.
“No, I always try to play off JB. All the teams here, when they play the Philippines, their focus is on JB. I just take it as an opportunity to use JB’s presence there and just play off him,” said Ramos after the match.
Dwight Ramos topscores for Gilas. | Photo (c) FIBA
Ramos finished with a game-high 21 points he topped with five rebounds, an assist and a steal.
AJ Edu turned in nine points, seven rebounds, three steals and two blocks.
Though down by as much as 18 points in the third, the Iraqis had no quit in them.
Thulfiqar Hammoodi anchored a 10-2 rally to open the fourth and trim the gap to seven, 50-57.
But Calvin Oftana restored order with a triple before hurting his right ankle with 3:19 left to play.
Gilas then stood their ground until the final buzzer.
Hammoodi paced Iraq with 13 points on three triples to go with five rebounds and a steal. Ali Ismael added 13 points and six rebounds, while Demario Mayfield churned out 12 points.