Philippines leaps 11 spots in FIBA ranking

MANILA, Philippines – Gilas Pilipinas’ monumental run in the 27th FIBA Asia Championship has had the Philippines climbing 11 places higher in the latest FIBA Ranking Men released in fiba.com, the world governing body for basketball’s official website.

The Philippines, which booked a return to the world basketball stage, leaped from 45th to 34th to become the fourth best team in Asia behind China, Iran and South Korea.

China slipped down a spot to 12th after disappointing fifth place finish but remained as the top Asian team while three-time champion Iran, which fought off a shorthanded Philippine side for the gold medal, remained in place at 20th.

Korea, which settled for third in the recent Asian meet, also improved its ranking from 33rd to 31st while Japan experienced no change in position at 35th.

Asian rivals Qatar and Chinese Taipei on the other hand, slid to 44th and 42nd, respectively. The Qataris, who were led by former Washington Wizards swingman Jarvis Hayes, fell six places while the Taiwanese dropped two spots down.

Team USA continues to be the world’s number one followed by Spain, which hosts the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup, and Argentina. Rounding out the top five are Lithuania and Greece, who switched positions for fourth and fifth, respectively.