FIBA says.. Gilas-Pilipinas,a force to reckon?

THERE are times you believe in certain things and something you don’t. Take the case of numbers presented as evidence to support a claim or attest to a facts. But for Gilas-Pilipinas coach Tim Cone, numbers do tell lie sometime.

Cone’s argument came following on the statistical data analysis recently released by FIBA after the completion of all the first window qualifying round for the 2025 Asia Cup. With Gilas-Pilipinas surprising out on top of in most of the departments.

The recent results may have somehow surprises every basketball experts, and if you would look at it and analysed the data. Statistically, Gilas-Pilipinas indeed came out on top of everything. Not only in the Asian region and earned world governing body’s impression as the “Continental Cup qualifiers offensive juggernauts”.

But for Cone, who was quick to down play FIBA’s update, said that he doesn’t believe it as he dispute and disagree the world ranking pointing out that the Philippines is at 37 position, which raised Cone’s eyebrow pointing out Japan (26), who according to his recollection, had been won against the nationals since 1996.

Iran (27) and Lebanon (28) both recently beaten by Gilas in last year’s World Cup qualifying stages, Cone said. China(29), which we beaten twice in during the World Cup qualification round and in last Asian Games, as the Philippines’ won the gold after 61 years.

It was also few of weeks back, FIBA released updated Power Ranking, in the Asia Cup qualifiers, wherein the Philippines landed on third spot. Behind Australia and Japan. Prior to that, Gilas was in fourth position behind Lebanon until FIBA came out with an updated one.

Based on said results, Gilas-Pilpinas became as the third team to able score at least 100 points or more in the first window tying Australia and Brazil, which scored 106 points twice, in the Americas side. Likewise the nationals was behind to the Brazilians (108). The Aussies are in third with 95 points

The Philippines continue to soar high in the data sheets, topping the first window in terms of assists per game, with 31.5 APG.even outshone rival South Korea. Even Canada and US, both with 30 to show in their respected windows.

The Philippines’ overpowering dominance over Hong Kong (94-64) and Chinese-Taipei (106-64) are enough to earn FIBA’s attention, even more send a chilling message to would opponent in the next qualifying window. New Zealand in November.