Gilas Pilipinas stars Dwight Ramos and AJ Edu urged aspiring Filipino players to brace for the intensity and physicality of the Japan B.League if they want to gain entry into one of Asia’s fastest-growing basketball leagues.

Ramos, who plays for Levanga Hokkaido, said young players must be prepared to work on every aspect of their game and build their bodies to withstand the demands of the B.League.

Ramos and Edu, who suits up for the Gunma Crane Thunders, were in Manila for the Japan B.League Games, where their teams played a pair of exhibition games.

“I guess just from watching, if you’re aspiring to play in the B.League, you can see how intense every possession is, so you really have to work on all your skills, be able to build your body enough to handle the physicality in the league,” Ramos said.

“Of course, you have to work on your skills, but there’s always more that you have to work on to reach this level.”

The B.League has emerged as an attractive destination for Filipino players, particularly those coming from the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP).

Since Thirdy Ravena signed with San-En NeoPhoenix in 2020 after his Ateneo de Manila University career, more Filipino players have chosen to continue their professional careers in Japan instead of entering the Philippine Basketball Association Rookie Draft.

Carl Tamayo and Francis Lopez are among the UAAP products who took their talents to Japan after completing their collegiate careers.

Edu, who has become a regular member of Gilas Pilipinas alongside Ramos and Tamayo, encouraged young players to take the opportunity should a B.League team offer them a contract.

“I’d definitely recommend it. Just as a player, you get to experience a high level of basketball,” Edu said.