NEWS

13-man Gilas PH team formed vs Lebanon

August 22, 2022 3:42 p.m.

A 13-man team majority composed of pro players make up the Gilas Pilipinas roster that will travel to Beirut, Lebanon and kick off its campaign in the fourth window of the FIBA World Cup qualifier.

Utah Jazz star Jordan Clarkson and promising big man Kai Sotto lead the lineup that also include reigning PBA MVP Scottie Thompson and Barangay Ginebra teammate Japeth Aguilar, as well as Gilas first timers Jamie Malonzo (NorthPort), Chris Newsome (Meralco), and former PBA no.1 overall pick Roosevelt Adams.

Others named to the team by Chot Reyes and his coaching staff made up of Tim Cone and Jong Uichico are returnees Calvin Oftana (NLEX), Japan B. League imports Ray Parks Jr., Dwight Ramos, brothers Kiefer and Thirdy Ravena, and University of the Philippines stalwart Carl Tamayo.

The announcement was officially made by Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) executive director Sonny Barrios in a special session of the online Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum on Monday.

Barrios described the team as athletic and has good height and heft.

“We observed and evaluated what is the best mix for the Lebanon trip. That’s our consideration there. They’re not necessarily the best players in the country, but they’re the best team to play against Lebanon based on the available players,” said Barrios, also the SBP spokesperson.

“This is the best combination base sa pagsusuri at pag-aaral ng ating coaching staff,” added the SBP official during the sports program presented by San Miguel Corporation (SMC), MILO, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, Amelie Hotel Manila, Unilever, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).

The fourth window starts the second round of the qualifier where the national team holds an even 2-2 (win-loss) record in Group E.

The Filipinos will be leaving for Beirut early Tuesday morning for their August 25 match against the host team bannered by FIBA Asia Cup MVP Wael Arakji.

The final 12-man Gilas team will be submitted by the SBP on the eve of the game.

The Cedars finished a close runner-up against Australia during the finals of the Asia Cup, 75-73, the same tournament where they pounded the Filipinos in the group stage, 95-80.

“Mabigat yung Lebanon, but we are confident that we will play well. Siguradong lalaban tayo,” said Barrios. “So pagdasal natin ang kanilang safety and well-being. We pray for victory, God willing.”

After Lebanon, the national team returns to the country early Saturday morning and prepares for its next game against Saudi Arabia on the 29th at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Barrios said Gilas may or may not tweak the lineup against Saudi Arabia in a game that will have Clarkson playing on local soil for the very first time.

NEWS

Satisfy your cravings with these best-selling Nanyang drinks

September 15, 2023 3:30 p.m.

Nanyang isn’t only known for its Laksa Prawn, Cheesy Chicken Chop Noodles and Singapore’s best selling Hainanese Chicken Rice and Kopi.

It also has several best-selling drinks to whet your appetite and satisfy your sweet tooth, such as Iced Teh Melaka, Kopi Jelly Milk Tea, Milo Dinosaur and Kopi O.

Head over to your nearest Nanyang branches nationwide.

NEWS

USA back on top; Germany takes Top 3 spot in FIBA World Ranking

September 15, 2023 1:28 p.m.

MIES (Switzerland) – The recent completion of the prestigious FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 has produced some eye-catching positive climbs in the latest FIBA World Ranking Men, presented by Nike.

USA reclaim pole position with 786.6 points after benefiting from their consistency at major tournaments over the last three summers. Finishing in fourth place at the FIBA Basketball World Cup where they outperformed former number one nation Spain, their run to the Semi-Finals came off the back of winning an Olympic title at Tokyo in 2021 and also taking bronze at the FIBA AmeriCup 2022.

Recently crowned FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 champions Germany have another slice of history to enjoy as they step into the top three of the rankings for the very first time after moving up a massive eight places and onto 759.7 points. Their stunning success made all the more incredible because of the fact they made the journey to the top step of the podium without tasting defeat.

Canada also have another reason to celebrate too, with their maiden FIBA Basketball World Cup medal fueling an even bigger rise of nine spots. They now occupy sixth position with 745.5 points.

Serbia performed in outstanding fashion to make the title game and their second-placed finish gave their fans something to be proud of. Those supporters can also now enjoy and reflect on their country being a top five nation again as they move up a place and into fifth position on 755.6 points.

Meanwhile, when it comes to the scale and impact of climbing the rankings in the upper echelon, nobody can match Latvia. They have rocketed up a staggering 22 places and into the top 10 after their heroic underdog displays which ensured they took fifth place at the FIBA Basketball World Cup. They now sit in 8th position on 743.7 points.

There were many other teams who impressed at the flagship event, including Brazil who recorded three wins in five games and moves up a place into 12th in the rankings on 660.5 points. The Americas region can also boast a nice move upwards of five places into 16th for Puerto Rico on 611.1 points, while Dominican Republic rise six spots into 18th place on 561.9 points.

There were also notable improvements for Georgia who move up 10 positions and into 23rd on 465.9 points, Japan jump 11 spots to 26th on 432.2 points and Lebanon claim an uplift of 16 places into 28th on 423.3.

One nation that truly made everyone sit up and take notice at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 were first-timers South Sudan. They made history by beating China to claim a first win at the event, then pushing on to beat the Philippines and Angola. This has resulted in a sensational climb of 32 spots in the rankings. They now find themselves in 31st place with 375.5 points.

For more information about the method used in the calculation of the FIBA World Ranking Men, please refer to the “How It Works” section.

Click here to view the full FIBA World Ranking Men, presented by Nike.