Gilas stars AJ Edu, Dwight Ramos put friendship aside in B.League

Gunma Crane Thunders ‘s AJ Edu and Levanga Hokkaido’s Dwight Ramos during the Japan B.League Manila preseason game at Mall of Asia Arena. –B.LEAGUE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—AJ Edu and Dwight Ramos have built a solid bond as Gilas Pilipinas mainstays.

That bond, however, is put aside for now as Levanga Hokkaido and Gunma Crane Thunders meet in a two-game Japan B.League preseason series at Mall of Asia Arena.

READ: AJ Edu, Gunma cruise past Dwight Ramos, Levanga in B.League Manila

Ramos put it bluntly after Hokkaido’s 98-81 loss to Gunma on Wednesday night: There will always be brotherhood between him and Edu.

Just not right now.

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WATCH: Dwight Ramos says playing in the #BLeague Manila games felt like playing for Gilas again. | @MeloFuertesINQ pic.twitter.com/XBMuLUnTmm

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“It’s nice to see AJ on the court but when I play, I don’t think about him as my teammate in the national team,” he said on Wednesday night.

“I’m on a different team, he’s in a different team. We’re both representing the Philippines, yes, but we’re representing different teams right now.”

READ: Dwight Ramos believes this Gilas batch is ‘golden generation’

Ramos finished with 13 points, two rebounds, an assist, a steal and a block in the defeat.

Edu, who had three points, seven rebounds and four assists, echoed Ramos’ sentiments: They’re still brothers, and playing in the B.League isn’t personal. It’s business.

“When we’re on the court representing our teams in the B.League, as soon as we cross that line, it’s different. I’m trying to win and he’s trying to win,” said the Gilas big.

The two Gilas go at it again Thursday night at the same venue in the final Manila game of the B.League preseason.