MANILA, Philippines—Gilas Pilipinas coach Tim Cone humorously addressed Dwight Ramos’ benching in the blowout victory over Hong Kong in the second window of the 2025 Fiba Asia Cup Qualifiers on Sunday.

Despite the fans’ urging, Cone remained firm and opted not to field in Ramos, who was bothered by knee and calf pain.

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“I love Dwight, I’m just like all the girls. I love Dwight. I just love him for different reasons,” said Cone after Gilas’ 93-54 win.

READ: Fans clamor but Dwight Ramos sits out Gilas game due to injury

“I love him for his basketball mind and his talent, he’s got an incredible basketball mind. Girls like him for his looks but I can’t like him for his looks. I love him for his basketball brain. I, more than everybody, wanted to put him on the floor. I guarantee you that.”

“We want Dwight” chants broke out at Mall of Asia Arena late in the game but even that didn’t convince Cone to field in the fan-favorite Ramos.

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“I remember there was a fan on the front row and I told him, ‘he’s injured, I can’t play him,’ and he still kept saying we want Dwight, we want Dwight!’” Cone recalled.

READ: Gilas crushes Hong Kong to stay perfect in Fiba Asia Cup qualifiers

Ramos experienced pain in his knee following Gilas’ 93-89 win over New Zealand on Thursday.

“We felt we could rest him and be careful with him in this game,” Cone said of Ramos, who also plays for Levanga Hokkaido in the Japan B.League.

The 26-year-old guard played a vital role in toppling the Kiwis with 11 points, six rebounds and four assists in 33 minutes.