NEWS

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas calls on stakeholders to unite

July 22, 2022 9:03 p.m.

JAKARTA — SBP president Al Panlilio yesterday called on the country’s basketball stakeholders to come together in supporting the Gilas national team with the goal of forming a competitive squad for the FIBA World Cup next year.

Panlilio said Gilas’ performance in the FIBA Asia Cup here was a disappointment as the ninth place finish was the Philippines’ worst in 13 years.

He said lack of training time and player availability are issues that must be addressed with three FIBA World Cup Asia qualifying windows lined up for August, November and February, the SEA Games in Cambodia on May 5-16 and the World Cup on Aug. 25-Sept. 10 next year.

Gilas head coach Chot Reyes had no excuses for the dismal showing but said the outcome could’ve been different if top scorer Dwight Ramos and naturalized player Ange Kouame suited up.

He said the team began practice last July 6, a week before the Philippines’ first game against Lebanon and Poy Erram, the only active PBA player on the roster, attended only thrice.

Any coach would’ve backed off from the challenge but Reyes chose to play the cards he was dealt with in keeping his commitment to the country and SBP.

“As FIBA secretary-general Andreas Zagklis mentioned, it’s been nearly 25 years since Greece hosted a world basketball event,” said Panlilio. “We really have to give it full support from all basketball stakeholders.”

PBA chairman Ricky Vargas said, “The World Cup will never happen again in Manila in our lifetime … it took 45 years to bring the World Cup back to Manila … dapat laban na, all out … we need the best to play and be allowed to play … we call on all stakeholders to unite for flag and country.”

SBP has scheduled a general meeting of stakeholders on Aug. 1 and will lay out the timetable in the run-up to the World Cup.

Panlilio said FIBA will assist in securing clearance for Gilas players from foreign leagues.

The PBA will play only two conferences next year and clear its calendar starting in May up to the end of the World Cup.

Drafting players for the three coming windows, however, is a concern. Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson is sure to play in the World Cup and will likely join Gilas in the fourth window against Lebanon in Beirut on Aug. 25 and Saudi Arabia at the MOA Arena on Aug. 29 but won’t be available for the two other windows and the SEA Games.

SBP will reach out to Kai Sotto for the three windows, SEA Games and the World Cup.

The PBA Philippine Cup finals will begin on Aug. 21 so players from the 10 eliminated teams may be recruited for Gilas to play in the fourth window with Clarkson.

In the fifth window against Jordan and Saudi Arabia on the road in November, the NBA, PBA, UAAP, NCAA and foreign leagues will be in season, making it difficult to assemble a fighting team.

In the sixth window, players from UAAP and NCAA will be available but not from the PBA.

Panlilio said the time for leagues to sacrifice and adjust schedules with Gilas in mind is now as the World Cup is only a year away.

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.