Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 28) – Days before they make a bid for an Olympic berth in the FIBA Olympic Qualification Tournament (OQT) in Belgrade, Serbia, national team Gilas Pilipinas faces some tough challenges as three of its players are nursing injuries.
Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tab Baldwin mentioned spitfire guard Dwight Ramos, promising big man Carl Tamayo, and newly naturalized player Angelo Kouame as the Gilas ballers who are not in good playing shape due to injuries.
“We are limping and these are key players but we know this is a once in a lifetime opportunity,” Baldwin said in a press conference on Monday.
Baldwin said Ramos is “not likely” to play in either of their games against Serbia on July 1 and Dominican Republic on July 2 because of a lingering groin injury.
“But things can change overnight. But with the groin injury, it’s not common. Usually, these things drag on and that’s what he seems to be experiencing,” said Baldwin.
The veteran mentor added Ramos told him that he wants to try to suit up in their games but “he’s in no shape to try.”
Ramos is Gilas’ main scorer during the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers with numbers of 13.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and two steals per game.
On the other hand, Baldwin said Kouame is struggling with a deep knee contusion that he belatedly discovered after their 2021 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers campaign.
“He’s not at full speed,” said Baldwin.
Baldwin remained hopeful that Tamayo, who sprained his ankle in Gilas’ game against Indonesia in the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers final window, could play for the national team in their crucial Olympic qualifier matches.
“I wouldn’t say he’s had a setback, but I would say that now that he’s trying to go full speed, he’s experiencing quite a bit of discomfort in the ankle, but I think that he’ll push through,” Baldwin evaluated.
With the injuries of the three players, only nine Gilas young standouts are healthy enough for their Olympic qualifying matches. The roster is composed of Filipino basketball wunderkind Kai Sotto, SJ Belangel, RJ Abarrientos, Geo Chiu, Will Navarro, Jordan Heading, Justine Baltazar, Mike Nieto, and team captain Isaac Go.
