Gilas Pilipinas’ team captain will not take part in the Philippines’ Window 5 campaign in the 2023 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
Kiefer Ravena has begged off for the window as he had an emergency dental procedure on Monday.
The 29-year-old experienced severe pain and fever due to an infected impacted right mandibular third molar.
Recovery time post-surgery takes three to five days.
Vital has been the 6-foot-1 combo guard for Gilas in the Qualifiers, averaging 7.3 points, 2.0 assists, and 1.3 rebounds in four games played.
(C) FIBA.basketball
The only guards remaining in the pool are Dwight Ramos, Thirdy Ravena, Bobby Ray Parks Jr., CJ Perez, Scottie Thompson, and Roger Pogoy
Gilas currently have an even 3-3 slate in Pool E.
They take on Jordan (3-3) on November 11 at 12:00 MN in Amman. Then on November 14, the team heads to Jeddah to face Saudi Arabia (1-5) at 12:00 MN.
With this only 16 players remain in the pool.
Also out for the window are June Mar Fajardo (post-throat surgery recovery), Chris Newsome (calf), and Carl Tamayo (ankle).
