PH men and women national teams rise in FIBA rankings

MANILA, Philippines – The rise of basketball in the Philippines is clearly being recognized by the rest of the world.

And now, that’s become the case for both the men and women national teams.

According to the most recent released rankings of FIBA – last updated on October 3 – the Philippine men’s national basketball team currently ranks as the 28th best team in the world, which is 3 spots higher from their previous ranking.

Korea, one of Philippines’ chief Asian rivals, dropped two spots from 28 to 30 while Iran stayed at number 17.

China, who beat Gilas Pilipinas in the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship finals and claimed a spot in the 2016 Rio Olympics, remained at number 14.

(READ: Gilas ‘hurting’ over FIBA Asia loss to China)

The United States still remains atop at first overall while Spain follows behind at number two. Lithuania improved one spot and now sits at number 3, while Argentina dropped one spot to number 4.

France, Serbia, Russia, Turkey, Brazil, and Greece round up the rest of the top 10.

In the women’s rankings, the Philippines jumped 9 spots from 58 to 49 following their impressive showing in the 2015 FIBA Asia Women’s Championship, where Perlas Pilipinas earned a promotion to Group A in the tournament’s next edition.

During the 2015 FIBA Asia Women’s Championship, Perlas went 4-1 and beat India, 82-76, to earn the promotion. The Philippines and Egypt, who jumped from 69 to 60, were the highest climbers in the recent rankings.

USA, Australia, Spain, and France retained their spots in the top 4, respectively, while Czech Republic improved to number 5. 

Russia, Brazil, China, Canada, and Belarus round off the rest of the top 10. – Rappler.com