After sweeping Guam, Gilas Men also climbed one spot to no. 36 in the updated FIBA world rankings.
Gilas Pilipinas climbed four spots to no. 4 in the latest 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers Power Rankings (Vol. 2) following a dominant sweep of Guam in the opening window.
The Nationals not only secured back-to-back wins, but also set several Asian Qualifiers records.
In their 87-46 road victory in Guam, Tim Cone’s squad set a new tournament record for the most rebounds in a game after hauling 61.
[ALSO READ: Gilas Pilipinas set new record for most rebounds in a FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers game]
According to FIBA, Gilas Men also tied the record for most blocks in a game at 10 —a mark the team originally set back in 2017 during a win over Chinese Taipei.
Back home, the Philippines set another milestone in their 90-76 victory after sinking 29 free throws for the most in a single game in Asian Qualifiers history.
With a 2-0 start, Gilas shares the top of Group A with Australia, while New Zealand and Guam dropped to 0-2.
Australia held firm at no. 1 in the power rankings, with South Korea jumping five spots to second after sweeping China, Japan settling into third, and Iran completing the top five.
Qatar, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, New Zealand, and Lebanon rounded out the top 10.
Rising Above
Gilas also climbed one spot to no. 36 in the latest FIBA world rankings, now the seventh-highest Asian team, trailing Australia (6), Japan (22), New Zealand (25), Iran (26), China (27), and Lebanon (29).
The Philippines will resume its campaign next February when it faces the Tall Blacks in the second window of the qualifiers.
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Pao Ambat earned his journalism degree from Cavite State University in 2022.
Passionate about sports from a young age, he primarily covers the NBA for One Sports, while also assisting in reporting on the PVL, PBA, UAAP, and other leagues.