Dwight Ramos 'not likely' to play in OQT as injuries hamper Gilas

Dwight Ramos might not suit up for Gilas due to a groin injury. FIBA/Paul Ryan Tan (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA—The wear and tear of Gilas Pilipinas' stint in the third window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers could now play a factor in its quest to clinch a Tokyo Olympic spot in Belgrade.

Coach Tab Baldwin admitted on Monday that Gilas is entering the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament with some players in injury bay.

"We're banged up. There's no question we came out of the third window limping," Baldwin told the media in an online press conference.

For one, swingman Dwight Ramos has been revealed to have a groin injury, and Baldwin bared that the best player for Gilas during the third window of the ACQ in Angeles is doubtful for both Gilas' first round games against Serbia and Dominican Republic.

"Dwight is not likely for either game," Baldwin further said.

While there is a possibility that "things can change overnight," Baldwin quipped that it might take long before Ramos will be fully healed from the groin injury.

"With a groin injury, it's not common. Usually, these things drag on, and that's what we seem he is experiencing," Baldwin continued.

He added, "Dwight has already said to me that he wants to try, but he's just in no shape to try."

Meanwhile, Baldwin also admitted that Carl Tamayo, one of the revelations during the ACQ third window, is still suffering from a lingering ankle pain after he hurt the said foot part during Gilas' blowout win against Indonesia.

Carl Tamayo is still likely to play in the FIBA OQT despite his ankle injury. FIBA/Paul Ryan Tan (file photo)

"Now that he's trying to go full speed, he's experiencing quite a bit of discomfort in the ankle," Baldwin further said.

However, he clarified, "I think that he'll push through."

Ramos and Tamayo both sat out Gilas' tune-up game against China on Wednesday night which ended in a 79-all draw.

Baldwin also said that naturalized center Ange Kouame is also not at full health with his knee injury.

"Ange Kouame is nursing his deep knee contusion that he got in the third window, and he's not at full speed," Baldwin said.

Despite the injury reports, Baldwin said that Gilas will still give its best as it looks to join 15 other Filipinos to the Tokyo Olympics from July 21-Aug. 2.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," he further said. "I know that they're gonna go out there and if they can give their best, that's what they're gonna give."

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