While Gilas Pilipinas dropped three places in the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers Power Rankings, Lebanon--who rolled past the Philippines in Doha--rose to number two.
Gilas Pilipinas slipped down in Volume 5 of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers Power Ranking, going from no. 2 to no. 5.
[ALSO READ: Gilas Pilipinas stay put at no. 2 in latest FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers power rankings]
This is after the Filipinos finished 1-2 in the Doha International Cup as part of their build up for the final window of the Qualifiers.
[ALSO READ: What’s next for Gilas Pilipinas after Doha International Cup?]
Gilas Pilipinas' lone victory in that pocket competition came in a gutsy 74-71 comeback against host Qatar, before suffering back-to-back beatdowns from Lebanon and Egypt.
The combined 52-point losses — a 21-point drubbing against the Lebanese followed up by a 31-point shellacking from the Egyptians — was the most lopsided two-game loss of the Philippines since head coach Tim Cone took over.
The winningest PBA coach though admitted that the pocket tournament was a testing ground for Gilas, who are now without Kai Sotto all the way up to the main FIBA Asia Cup draw. The big man is out for nine months due to an ACL injury.
[ALSO READ: Tim Cone, Gilas Pilipinas hope to use Doha lessons in ‘tougher battle’ vs Chinese Taipei]
Australia retained its position at the top as Lebanon overtook the Philippines for the second spot. China rose from no. 5 to no. 3 while Japan stayed at no. 4.
The only unbeaten team in Group B with a 4-0 record, Gilas aims to pick up where they are off against Chinese Taipei later at 7:00 p.m.
[ALSO READ: Gilas Pilipinas start final FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers window vs Chinese Taipei]
Gilas delivered a 53-point thumping of their Taiwanese counterpart in their first meeting last February 2024 in Manila.
But this time around, Chinese Taipei retained just three players of that squad and will parade a different line-up bolstered by naturalized cagers Brandon Gilbeck and Mohammad Al Bachir Gadiaga.
Leading the charge for the Philippines, meanwhile, are mainstays Justin Brownlee, June Mar Fajardo, and Dwight Ramos with AJ Edu and Jamie Malonzo also making their Gilas comebacks.
[ALSO READ: Justin Brownlee, June Mar Fajardo, Dwight Ramos lead Gilas roster for FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers]
The Chinese Taipei vs Philippines game will air at 7:00 p.m. LIVE on RPTV, PBA Rush, and the Pilipinas Live app. There will be a catchup telecast at 9:00 p.m. on One Sports.
[ALSO READ: Gilas Pilipinas: FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers February window schedule, where to watch]