Ramos bringing underdog mentality in return to Star

Aldrech Ramos in a Star jersey. Photo by Randolph Leongson

It will be a homecoming of sorts for Aldrech Ramos.

Returning to the Purefoods franchise he suited for in 2012, the 6-foot-6 forward is optimistic that he can make waves this time out for Star.

“Masaya ako kasi dito ako nag-start. Ngayon, nandito na ulit ako,” he said.

The Hotshots acquired the services of Ramos anew from Mahindra in the offseason.

The Cebuano forward averaged a career-best 13.3 points and 5.7 rebounds for the Enforcers last year as one of the team’s lead veterans. That role would obviously change in Star, but Ramos is optimistic that he can adapt, especially with coach Chito Victolero at the helm.

“Excited din ako na makatulong dito. Yung big men naman kasi nila, more on the inside so malaking bagay
para sa akin na makatulong sa pag-stretch ng depensa,” he said.

Ramos also hopes to bring the underdog mentality he and Victolero had in Mahindra, as Star seeks to break out of the cellar this season.

“Sana madala namin dito yung desire dumepensa at all-out effort. Ganoon rin naman yung team na ito dati,” he said. “Kulang-kulang kami sa Mahindra pero buo kami sa defense. Dito, mas may materyales na so hopefully, madala namin dito yun sa Star.”