Gilas climbs one spot in FIBA rankings after sweep of Guam
At A Glance
- Gilas Pilipinas has moved up one spot in the FIBA rankings following its sweep of Guam in the first window of the 2027 World Cup Qualifiers.
Dwight Ramos (Mark Balmores/MB)
Gilas Pilipinas has moved up one spot in the FIBA rankings following its sweep of Guam in the first window of the 2027 World Cup Qualifiers.
The Nationals landed at the 36th spot in the world and seventh in Asia in the latest ranking released on Thursday, Dec. 4. The slight jump in the rankings came in the aftermath of their two dominant victories over Guam, first on the road, 87-46, and then at home, 95-71.
Although it was an improvement, it was still two spots below Gilas’ previous ranking at No. 34 prior to the start of the FIBA Asia Cup last August. Due to its seventh place finish in the continental tiff, the Nationals dropped three spots to the 37th place.
Meanwhile, not much has changed in the leaderboard in Asia with Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Iran and China still being the five top teams in the region.
The Boomers, who Gilas will be facing in the second window in February, remained as the sixth best in the world and the only country in Asia-Pacific region inside the Top 20.
The Akatsuki Five, followed second at No. 22 while the Tall Blacks stayed at No. 25. Team Melli, likewise, was steady at No. 26 while Team Dragon, despite back-to-back losses to South Korea to open the qualifiers, was firmly holding at the No. 27.
Lebanon was the other Asian country which improved, also jumping two spots to No. 28 and good for sixth in the region.
Jordan and Korea, eighth and ninth best in the region, remained on their places at 38 and 56, respectively. Breaking through the Top 10 in Asia was Saudi Arabia, dislodging Chinese Taipei after improving to No. 63 in the world.
The Top 10 in the world also remained unchanged with the USA still topping the list followed by Germany, Serbia, France and Canada in the Top 5. Next to Australia are Spain, Argentina, Lithuania and Brazil to round out the Top 10.