Dwight Ramos may end up sitting out all of Gilas Pilipinas’ group stage games in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) in Serbia as a strained groin continues to prevent him from suiting up.

Sidelined in their 76-83 loss to mighty Serbia, Ramos is in danger of being reduced to a spectator once again as the Philippines takes on the Dominican Republic on Thursday, July 1 (Friday, July 2, Manila time).

“I don’t think Dwight is going to be ready tomorrow. He’s got a groin injury, it’s a muscle strain,” said national team head coach Tab Baldwin.

“We didn’t think it was serious in the beginning and it just hasn’t responded at all,” Baldwin added.

Ramos sustained the injury after the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers, where he led the Philippines to a resounding sweep of its group comprised of Korea, Indonesia, and Thailand.

It did not help Ramos’ recovery that the national team had to fly to Serbia for the OQT only days after the final window of the Asia Cup Qualifiers wrapped up.

“Actually, after the flight, it was worse,” Baldwin said.

“It’s just one of those things you never know with groin muscles how they’ll respond and we don’t want to take a chance of that recurring.”

While a win over the Dominican Republic will guarantee the Philippines a spot in the OQT semifinals, Baldwin said the team needs Ramos at his full strength for the Asia Cup.

After the OQT, Gilas Pilipinas will compete overseas anew in the Asia Cup to be staged in Indonesia in August.

“We have a big tournament coming up in August and we need him fully fit and back to training in a few weeks,” Baldwin said.

“He can’t play right now and we certainly don’t want to rush him.” – Rappler.com