Huge blow for Gilas: Dwight Ramos to miss Asia Cup with leg injury
The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas announced the setback on Sunday, July 10.
Ramos, who was one of the core players of the national team, was reportedly suffering from medial tibial stress syndrome or shin splints. According to the SBP statement, the 6-foot-4 forward has been dealing with pain in his leg for the past week but it has become too much for Ramos to overcome and could not join the practice anymore.
Rhenz Abando is expected to take Ramos’ spot in the roster after being initially placed as a reserve.
“Gilas Pilipinas Men will now attempt to replace Ramos from the lineup with Rhenz Abando. This will be brought up during the technical meeting before the start of the tournament by Gilas team manager Butch Antonio,” the statement added.
“We will definitely miss Dwight who’s one of our starters,” said Gilas Pilipinas Men Program Director and Head Coach Chot Reyes. “But that’s the value of having a pool and the reason why Rhenz is making the trip with the team.”
Without Ramos, eyes will be on his fellow B.League imports Ray Parks Jr. and Thirdy Ravena to pick up the slack.
Ramos is averaging 15.5 points, seven rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.5 steals in 28 minutes of play in the four games he suited up for the national team during the qualifying windows of the 2023 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
Ray Parks returns home to Gilas Pilipinas after a five-year absence as he joins the final 12-man roster for the 2022 FIBA Asia Cup, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) announced on Saturday, July 9.
Parks, who last played in the 29th Southeast Asian Games back in 2017, will be joined by fellow Japan B. League stalwarts Dwight Ramos and the Ravena brothers Kiefer and Thirdy.
This will be the younger Thirdy Ravena’s first Gilas tour since the February window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers where he averaged 19 points in two games.
Carl Tamayo, Kevin Quiambao, LeBron Lopez, Geo Chiu, and PBA veteran Poy Erram round out the roster.
Chot Reyes who dealt with public outrage after the country failed to defend its SEA Games gold this year, will also make a controversial return as head coach for the entire Asia Cup run as Nenad Vucinic takes a step back as an assistant alongside Jong Uichico and Sandro Soriano.
Gilas Pilipinas continues to miss naturalized center Ange Kouame, who’s still recuperating from a partial ACL tear.
Dave Ildefonso also still won’t see action for the national team due to a knee injury.