Be more of a vocal leader.

That is the task Gilas Pilipinas program director Tab Baldwin issued to Dwight Ramos as he wants the Ateneo standout to go beyond making an impact through his exemplary play.

Ramos has been stellar in the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers, helping the Philippines stay unbeaten in 3 games with averages of 12.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.7 steals.

“We have challenged Dwight, because of his prominent playing role and [because] he is a very intelligent player, [that] he should be taking on a leadership role,” Baldwin told Rappler.

“He certainly leads by example and he is a great young man and very, very easy to coach. But we want him to be more vocal.”

A part of the expectations for Ramos is to hold his teammates accountable.

Despite being only 22 years old, Ramos is arguably one of the most experienced members of the all-cadet national pool that also includes high school players like LeBron Lopez.

“We want him to put pressure on his teammates to raise their standard of play, both across the board every time they come to practice and also in the moment within games and within practices, to call people out for a lack of effort or a lack of attention to detail,” Baldwin said.

Noting that the Filipino-American stalwart is “quiet to a fault,” Baldwin admitted Ramos has yet to accomplish his mission.

“To this point in time, Dwight has not really answered that call yet.”

“It is his personality, but we’re asking him to move beyond his personality and become the kind of leader that from his role on the court will be a great benefit to the team,” Baldwin said.

Ramos is expected to take up the cudgels when the national team returns to action for international tournaments lined up in the middle of the year.

Gilas Pilipinas will compete in the third and final window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers and the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament – both in June.

“I believe that he wants to do that and I think that he is working through the process of trying to overcome a very humble and very quiet personal nature and he can’t do it overnight,” Baldwin said.

“But we will see and I have an expectation that he will do it. He knows what it is like to have my expectations above his head.”

“I’m optimistic that we’re going to get there.” – Rappler.com