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| Despite stellar outings from Jordan Clarkson, Gilas took a tumble in the latest FIBA rankings. Dennis Acosta (file photo) |
MANILA—Gilas Pilipinas took a huge dip in the FIBA men's rankings as the latest update was revealed on Monday night.
The national team fell eight spots in the global ranking to 41st overall.
Gilas also slipped to number eight in Asia, although the team remains the best in Southeast Asia as Indonesia, which stunned Gilas in the Southeast Asian Games last May, is at number 80.
Gilas, however, had the third biggest slide in the rankings among Asians with only Qatar and Hong Kong having the worse falls.
The United States remain the number one team in the world, but the team's dismal finish in the FIBA AmeriCup paved the way for Spain, which won it all in the Eurobasket led by the Hernangomez Brothers, to close in on the US.
The Americans just lead the Spaniards by 1.8 points in the points amassed up to the said continental tournaments.
Australia remains third in the world and number one in Asia, while Lebanon, the surprise finalist in the FIBA Asia Cup, jumped 10 spots to 43rd in the world and ninth in Asia just behind Gilas, which they beat in the fourth window of the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers in Zouk Mikael despite having to face Jordan Clarkson and Kai Sotto.
Only the results of the FIBA-sanctioned games up to the Eurobasket have been considered for the newest ranking.
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno
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