Gilas Pilipinas drops eight spots to No. 41 in latest FIBA rankings

Gilas Pilipinas dropped to no. 41 in the latest FIBA global rankings after a tumultuous campaign over the last few months.

The national team was previously seated at no. 33, but is now overtaken by Asian rivals South Korea (no. 34) and Japan (no. 38) despite the two East Asian countries slipping five places and one place, respectively.

The drop in global ladder came after the Philippines wound up ninth in the 2022 FIBA Asia Cup--the country's worst finish in the regional tournament since placing ninth in the 2007 edition held in Japan.

Gilas also had a tough campaign in the fourth window of FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers after falling to Lebanon even with the reinforcement of NBA star Jordan Clarkson, who then led the home team in rout of visitor Saudi Arabia during their match at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The USA maintained its grip of the top world spot followed by powerhouses Spain, Australia, Argentina, and France at second, third, fourth, and fifth slots.

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA News