Gilas Pilipinas Women rise to no. 39 in FIBA world rankings

August 24 ------ Gilas Pilipinas Women made a notable leap in the global ladder after the national women's basketball team climbed five spots in the latest FIBA world rankings. The Filipinas soared from no. 44 to no. 39 just a month after their gallant campaign at the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup in China. Gilas is also now the seventh best team in Asia and the highest-ranked Southeast Asian team. 

In the recent Asia Cup, the Patrick Aquino-helmed squad finished sixth overall behind a young crew that featured rising stars Naomi Panganiban, Sumayah Sugapong, Vanessa De Jesus, Kacey Dela Rosa, and Kent Pastrana with veteran center Jack Animam leading the way. The team broke through with a narrow 73-70 win against Lebanon that allowed the country to retain its Division A status. They then fell to South Korea in the qualification to semifinals with a 104-71 loss to bow out of contention. 

Gilas Pilipinas Women will now carry their newfound momentum into the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand this December, where they aim to reclaim the gold medal they lost in the previous edition after Indonesia’s triumph.

Source: gmanetwork.com