Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin wishes best for Japan-bound Blue Eagle Dwight Ramos

Ateneo men's basketball team head coach Tab Baldwin regrets that Dwight Ramos will not have the chance to showcase his talent in a blue and white jersey, but he expressed his support and confidence that his old player will be successful in the next phase of his budding career.

The 23-year-old hotshot turned professional after recently signing a deal to play for Toyama Grouses in the Japan B.League, giving up his eligibility to play in the UAAP, which Baldwin's Blue Eagles have dominated for the last three years.

And the coach, who played a huge part in Ramos' decision to come to the Philippines, admitted that while he encouraged Dwight to remain with the team, he is understanding and supportive of the decision.

"My reaction is that we live in funny times, in strange times, and they have dictated some situations to our players in the country that have been extremely difficult for them and our amateur players have been sitting for almost two years and not playing basketball," Baldwin told GMA News Online in an interview.

"With Dwight's performance in Gilas, he obviously caught the attention of B.League teams and they came with an offer so Dwight had a decision to make and his decision was to play basketball."

"Obviously, we wanted him to be part of Ateneo but at the end of the day, Dwight made a decision with his agency for what was best for Dwight. And whether he will be successful for that, I have a lot of confidence. He's an outstanding player, but that's a different league and different level and he has to go and prove himself. I consider him a friend so I wish him the best," he added.

Ramos' decision, though, will be a blow for the Blue Eagles' program, especially considering his big performances as part of the Gilas Pilipinas national team, which is also coached by Baldwin.

But the coach believes the team can find ways to manage that loss.

"It's difficult for Ateneo because we lost a talent but I guess the reality is you don't miss what you never had because he never actually played for us. We can't be sitting here crying," the decorated mentor added.

"Our position in Ateneo whenever we lose a player to injury or academics or transfer is 'next man up'. And that's exactly the same approach that we will take now."

Baldwin added there won't be a lot of pressure on any one individual to step up in the absence of Ramos.

"It's never a one for one thing. We already have a strong roster, we already have many recruits. It's not like there's somebody out there that we're looking at, but we didn't recruit him because Dwight was there. No, that's not the situation," the coach said.

"We have a roster that will continue without Dwight and we have every confidence in the players on that roster to produce a very strong basketball team. That's what the Ateneo culture is about, it's about developing our players to get great opportunities."

—JMB, GMA News