Dwight Ramos to sit out FIBA Asia Cup

According to the SBP in a statement, “Ramos has been dealing with pain in his left leg for the past week but it has become too much to overcome as he could not join the team for practice anymore.” (File photo: @dram0s/Instagram)

MANILA – The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) announced on Sunday that Dwight Ramos will be missing Gilas Pilipinas’ campaign for the FIBA Asia Cup after he was diagnosed with a medial tibial stress syndrome.

According to the SBP in a statement, “Ramos has been dealing with pain in his left leg for the past week but it has become too much to overcome as he could not join the team for practice anymore.”

The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center defines the said syndrome, simply known as “shin splints”, as “overuse injuries caused by repeated stress on the lower legs.”

Shin splints happen among athletes in sports that require running like basketball.

“We will definitely miss Dwight who’s one of our starters,” said Gilas coach Chot Reyes.

Ramos was listed as part of the final 12-man lineup that Gilas will parade for the FIBA Asia Cup as announced on Saturday along with Kiefer and Thirdy Ravena, Carl Tamayo, SJ Belangel, RJ Abarrientos, Will Navarro, LeBron Lopez, Geo Chiu, Kevin Quiambao, Ray-Ray Parks and Poy Erram.

However, following the injury bug, Gilas team manager Butch Antonio said he will ask permission from FIBA during the pre-tournament technical meeting in Jakarta to have Ramos replaced with Rhenz Abando as the 12th player in the roster.

Reyes confirmed that Abando will be flying to the Indonesian capital too with Gilas despite being the “reserve”.

“That’s the value of having a pool and the reason why Rhenz is making the trip with the team,” said Reyes, who will only join Gilas along with Erram on Monday after TNT’s PBA Philippine Cup game against Ginebra later Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.