The Philippines must move further up in the world rankings now that it has made it to FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019’s tournament proper.
Sports patron and Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas chairman emeritus Manny V. Pangilinan said this should now be the mission of Gilas Pilipinas.
“What we’d like to see is the Philippines to move a notch or two higher in the world rankings. If we have this objective, it will be incumbent, not only for SBP, but for other supporters to lend their support,” said Pangilinan.
Gilas Pilipinas is now listed at no. 31 in the world rankings after the FIBA Basketball World Cup qualifiers 2019 ended.
Tallying a total of 317.6 points, the Philippines is a fraction behind powerhouse China, who is at no. 30 in the world with 317.9 points.
Both are among the teams that have qualified to the FIBA Basketball World Cup’s tournament proper.
Gilas coach Yeng Guiao said he has enough players who can play for him the tournament proper.
He hopes that Andray Blatche will be available very early in their preparations, also wishing that Fil-American cager Jordan Clarkson will be able to suit up as well.
The top seeds of the 32-team tournament are tournament host China and the seven best-ranked qualified teams, Team USA, Spain, France, Serbia, Argentina, Lithuania and Greece.
The list also includes Angola, Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Senegal and Tunisia in the Africa zone.
Also included are Brazil, Canada, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Venezuela in the Americas’ zone.
Joining the Philippines and China from Asia are Australia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, Korea and New Zealand,
Among the 12 European qualifiers to join are Spain, France, Serbia, Lithuania and Greece, with Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Montenegro, Poland, Russia and Turkey.
The draw of lots is on March 16 in Shenzhen, China, one of the competition’s eight host cities.