Dwight Ramos’s injury is worse than expected.
A week after sustaining a groin injury, the 6-foot-5 utility player is still not a hundred percent heading into the 2021 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament-Belgrade.
Moreover, Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tab Baldwin is not expecting the 22-year-old Filipino-American guard to suit up.
“We are banged up. There’s no question that we came out of the third window limping,” said Baldwin.
Gilas played three games in five days during the Clark window of the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers.
“Dwight is not likely for either game but things can change overnight. But for a groin injury, that’s not common. Usually, these things drag on and that is what we are experiencing.”
Not having Ramos will be a huge blow for the young national team.
In six games played in the Asia Cup Qualifiers, Ramos did it all for Gilas, norming 13.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 2.0 steals per game.
If Ramos is out, Gilas will be left with 11 bodies when they face Serbia and the Dominican Republic in the group stages of the OQT.
Expected to step up are Carl Tamayo, William Navarro, and Jordan Heading, among others.
Ramos is persuading Baldwin to field him during those two games,. though. After all, it’s not an opportunity everyone gets.
“We are limping but these are key players and this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Baldwin said.
“Dwight has already told me that he wants to try, but he is just in no shape to try. So I know that they are going to go out there. If they are going to give their best, that’s what they’ll give.”
