DESPITE suffering back-to-back losses at the end of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers, Gilas Pilipinas still managed to retain its spot in the latest FIBA world rankings.

At the end of the continental qualifiers around the globe, Gilas remained at 34th, keeping its old spot despite finishing the third and final window of the qualifiers with back-to-back losses to Chinese Taipei and New Zealand.

The two straight defeats were not that damaging as Gilas has already qualified to the Asia Cup main draw slated this August in Saudi Arabia.

Aside from keeping its world rankings, Gilas also stayed as seventh best in Asia, trailing world No. 30 China and ahead of No. 35 Jordan.

There were also no changes in Top 8 countries in the Asia-Pacific with Australia staying at the No. 7 followed by Japan at No. 21.

New Zealand, which nipped Gilas, 87-70, is the third best in the region at No. 22, with Iran at No. 28 and Lebanon No. 29. After scoring a big win over Gilas, Chinese Taipei moved up from No. 71 to No. 75.

The USA is still the world’s No. 1 followed by Serbia, Germany, and France. Spain broke into the Top 5, grabbing the fifth spot followed by Canada at No. 6.

Completing the Top 10 are Australia (No. 7), Argentina (No.

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• #Gilas Pilipinas
• #FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers
• #FIBA world rankings
• #Chinese Taipei
• #New Zealand