GILAS PILIPINAS CLIMBS TO NO.34 IN LATEST FIBA WORLD RANKINGS

Philippines national basketball team boosts their spot in world rankings after the Olympic Tournament (Photo courtesy of FIBA/Daily Tribune)

After their recent impressive performance in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT), Gilas Pilipinas rose by four spots in the FIBA rankings after they stunned World No.6 Latvia in the FIBA OQT.

From No.38, the Philippines national basketball team are now at No.34 in the world. According to FIBA rankings, Gilas Pilipinas is also the seventh best country in Asia behind World No. 7 Australia, No. 21 Japan, No. 22 New Zealand, No. 28 Iran, No. 29 Lebanon and No. 30 China.

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Al Panlilio said, “Of course, we are happy there is an improvement in our rankings, but so for others like Japan. Our goal is to continue to improve in international competition, then let the rankings follow.”

“We believe we can still rise in the rankings if we follow the plan, we have laid out for Gilas these next few years,” Panlilio added.

The United States is still on the top of world ranking following its successful campaign defense in the Summer Games. World No.2 is Paris Olympics bronze medalist Serbia while World Cup champion Germany is third.

Followed by Summer Games runner-up France and emerging superpower Canada. Rounding out the top 10 are Spain, Australia, Argentina, Latvia and Lithuania.

The ranking was updated as of August 10, 2024 and came after the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament and the 2024 Paris Olympics. Gilas Pilipinas will be back in action as the Nationals aim for a spot in the FIBA Asia Cup in 2025, playing New Zealand on November 21, and Hong Kong on November 24, at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Source: Daily Tribune

Be part of ImHenyo community!

Get featured by sharing your stories, news, and comments

Email us at [email protected]