Phl improves FIBA ranking

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines made a big jump in the FIBA world ranking, moving 11 rungs up from 45th to 34th, on the strength of Gilas Pilipinas’ second-place finish behind Iran in the recent FIBA Asia Championship.

Back on its feet under Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, the Phl quintet was among the biggest gainers in the ranking released by FIBA at the end of all continental tournaments serving as qualifiers for the 2014 FIBA World Cup.

The Philippines leapt past Chinese Taipei, Qatar and Japan to be at sixth place in Asian ranking behind China, Iran, Lebanon, Jordan and South Korea.

The Filipinos are the biggest gainers in the region after improving from fourth place in the 2011 Wuhan Asian joust to second in the 2013 meet that the country hosted at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

“This 11-place jump gives us more impetus to do even better in d next 3-yr cycle: ’14 World, ’15 FIBA-Asia, & hopefully, ’16 Olympics,” said Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes on his Twitter account.

Reyes noted Belgium leapfrogged 27 rungs up from 77th to 50th and Egypt improved 14 ranks up to 46th, but the Philippines made the longest stride among those in the Top 35.

A big key was Gilas Pilipinas’ 86-79 drubbing of South Korea in the semifinals of the 27th FIBA Asia Championship. That assured the Nationals of silver medal in the Asian meet and a berth in the 24-team draw of the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Spain.

The Philippines had never made the world championship since the country hosted the event in 1978.

The USA, Spain and Argentina kept their 1-2-3 positions but there’s lot of movement further afield.

Lithuania, finalist in the 2013 EuroBasket, dislodged Greece at fourth.

Rounding up the Top 10 from sixth are Russia, Turkey, European champ France, Australia then Brazil.

Next are Serbia, China, Slovenia, Germany, Angola, Croatia, Puerto Rico, Nigeria, New Zealand and Iran.

Brazil and China moved one place down as the former lost all games in the FIBA Americas while the Chinese failed to make it past the FIBA Asia quarterfinals after a shocking loss to Chinese Taipei.

Mexico made the biggest jump in the Top 30, moving eighth places up to 24th after ruling the 2013 FIBA Americas.