Gilas battling heavyweights, injuries in Belgrade

MANILA, Philippines — Already a heavy underdog against world power Serbia and the Dominican Republic, banged-up Gilas Pilipinas will have to go at it likely without its most reliable guard and with two big men slowed down by injuries.

Gilas coach Tab Baldwin said Fil-Am Dwight Ramos, the youthful team’s go-to guy, is highly doubtful for the tough Olympic Qualification Tournament assignments due to groin injury.

At the same time, young slotmen Carl Tamayo (ankle) and naturalized player Ange Kouame (deep knee bruise) won’t be at full strength when they take on the Boban Marjanovic-led Serbian frontline on Thursday then the Dominicans on Friday.

“We’re limping and these are key players but we know this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I know they’re going to go out there and give their best,” Baldwin said yesterday from Belgrade.

Baldwin will need the healthy backcourt personnel like SJ Belangel, Jordan Heading and RJ Abarrientos to step up in the absence of the 6-foot-4 Ramos, who averaged 13.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists and two steals in the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers.

“Dwight is unlikely for either game, though there can be a change overnight. But with groin injury, usually these things drag on and that seems to be what we’re experiencing,” he said.

Ramos is willing to try to play but Baldwin maintained “he’s not in shape to try.”

Tamayo, according to Baldwin, is still feeling discomfort on the ankle “but I think he’ll push through” while Kouame is also “not at full speed.” As such, 7-foot-3 Kai Sotto and skipper Isaac Go have to take more frontline responsibility.