By REYNALD MAGALLON
Gilas Pilipinas dropped to No. 41 or eight spots lower than its previous ranking in the latest FIBA rankings released on Monday, no thanks to its dismal showing in the August window of the FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers.
Previously ranked No. 34, the Philippines was even overtaken by Jordan and Japan, now at the 35th and 38th places, respectively.
Gilas’ campaign in international competition has been sailing through turbulent waters, suffering horrendous defeats at the hands of New Zealand in the first round of the qualifying windows.
The national quintet suffered an 88-63 beatdown at the hands of the Tall Blacks in their first meeting in the February window before they went on to assert their mastery of the Filipinos with a 106-60 beatdown in June.
It also didn’t help that Gilas also missed out on the quarterfinals of the 2022 FIBA Asia Cup, placing ninth – the country’s worst finish in the tournament in 15 years. In the group stage, Gilas lost to Lebanon, 95-80 and New Zealand, 92-75 before ultimately bowing out of the tournament after absorbing a 102-81 defeat against Japan.
During that span, all of Gilas’ wins came at the expense of India, winning its first encounter, 88-64, before following it up with a 79-63 win in the next window. The nationals also beat the Indians, 101-59 in the Asia Cup.
While there were encouraging signs in the fourth window of the qualifiers, the Jordan Clarkson-led Gilas still fell short against Lebanon, 85-81, although it quickly rebounded with a 84-46 home win against Saudi Arabia.
In Asia, Gilas is now only the eighth best team with Australia still leading the way as third in the world. No other Asian team landed in the world’s Top 20 with the Iranians being the next best team behind the Aussies at the 21st spot. Following suit are New Zealand (24), China (27), Korea (34), Jordan and Japan.
