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I still remember the first time I saw PJ Ramos step onto the PBA court - this 7-foot-4 giant from Puerto Rico who immediately changed the landscape of Philippine basketball. When he joined the Philippine Basketball Association back in 2015 with the Alab Pilipinas, nobody quite anticipated how significantly this gentle giant would impact our local basketball scene. His career highlights read like a basketball enthusiast's dream, but what truly fascinates me is how his presence forced us to reevaluate our approach to the game, particularly in international competitions.

That memorable quote from coach Rajko Toroman about facing Indonesia perfectly captures the reality check Ramos brought to Philippine basketball. "Listen, we are playing every time to win, but we don't just play against ourselves. Indonesia, we never beat in our life. We have to be with our feet on the floor, not flying," Toroman said during Ramos' stint with the national team preparation. This statement resonates deeply with me because it reflects the exact mentality shift Ramos embodied - the understanding that raw talent alone doesn't guarantee victory in international play. During his 2015-2017 PBA stint, Ramos averaged an impressive 24.8 points and 13.2 rebounds per game, numbers that still make veteran analysts like myself nod in appreciation. But beyond statistics, his true value lay in demonstrating how international players could elevate the entire league's competitive level.

What many fans might not realize is how Ramos' presence created a ripple effect across the PBA. Teams started recruiting different types of imports, focusing not just on scoring machines but on players who could genuinely make their local teammates better. I've had numerous conversations with coaches who admitted that watching Ramos operate in the paint made them reconsider their defensive schemes and player development programs. His footwork and positioning were lessons in basketball fundamentals that many of our local big men desperately needed to learn. The 2016 Commissioner's Cup where Ramos led Alab to the semifinals while averaging 26.3 points remains one of my favorite basketball memories - it was like watching a masterclass in post play that influenced an entire generation of Philippine big men.

The international perspective Ramos brought cannot be overstated. Having played in multiple leagues worldwide, he understood the nuances of different basketball styles and helped bridge the gap between Philippine basketball and international competition standards. I distinctly remember talking to him after a practice session where he spent extra time working with younger players, emphasizing the importance of adapting to various international playing styles. His influence extended beyond his actual playing time - approximately 127 games across various PBA tournaments - and created lasting changes in how we approach player development and international competition preparation.

Looking back, Ramos' impact reminds me why I fell in love with basketball journalism in the first place. It's not just about the numbers - though his career 58.7% field goal percentage in the PBA is certainly noteworthy - but about how certain players transform the game itself. His tenure coincided with a period where Philippine basketball was struggling to find its identity in the Asian basketball landscape, and his presence provided both a reality check and a blueprint for improvement. The way he carried himself on and off the court set standards for professionalism that I believe still influence how international players approach their PBA commitments today.

As someone who has covered the PBA for over fifteen years, I can confidently say that Ramos' legacy extends far beyond his statistical contributions. He represented a crucial turning point where Philippine basketball began seriously addressing its gaps in international competition. His career highlights - from his dominant 38-point game against San Miguel to his consistent double-double performances - serve as important markers in our basketball history, but his true value lies in the cultural shift he helped initiate. The PBA became more internationally aware, more strategically diverse, and ultimately more competitive because of players like Ramos who brought global perspectives to our local courts.