Dwight Ramos won't play in Gilas' clash with Dominican Republic

Gilas Pilipinas' top gun Dwight Ramos will not play when the team tackles the Dominican Republic for a shot at advancing from the group stage in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT).

Head coach Tab Baldwin admitted that Ramos' groin injury was more serious than they expected it to be, putting him on the sidelines for two straight games now since his stellar showing in the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers in Clark.

"I don’t think Dwight’s going to be ready tomorrow," Baldwin said after their 83-76 defeat against Serbia on Thursday morning.

"He’s got a groin injury, it’s a muscle strain and we didn’t think it was serious in the beginning and actually after the flight, it was worse."

Ramos sat out the Serbia game and Baldwin, in fact, said the game could have been different had he suited up but the prized mentor said "that doesn’t mean that would have necessarily changed the outcome."

But as much as Ramos could've been a difference-maker come the game against the Dominicans, Baldwin said they will not rush his recovery.

After all, Baldwin said they would be needing Ramos' in good health in August for the FIBA Asia Cup slated in Indonesia and they need him to be at 100-percent in the continental showpiece.

"We don’t want to take the chance," Badwin said.

"We have a big tournament coming up in August and we need him fully fit and back to training in a few weeks. He can’t play right now and we certainly do not want to rush him."

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA News