Gilas coach Chot Reyes unhappy with team's current FIBA ranking

Gilas head coach Chot Reyes expressed his disappointment with the FIBA’s new rankings as the Philippines only gained three spots from 34 to 31 after a decent showing in the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Spain. After finishing with a 1-4 win-loss tally and garnering the best efficiency rating among all Asian teams, Gilas Pilipinas only took a small step up.

The outspoken head coach did not mince his words during the team’s thank you dinner for their sponsors and the media, which also doubled as their send-off party for the 2014 Incheon Asian Games.

“We’re happy that we climbed the rankings but to be very honest with you, I don’t know why Korea had a bigger climb than us. Korea went up four notches and we went up only three but we played better than Korea in the last three FIBA tournaments,” Reyes said.

China remained the top ranked Asian team even if they dropped two spots to take the 14th position. Iran took three spots up to end up at 17th place.

South Korea gained four spots as they now occupy the 27th spot even after losing all five games in the FIBA World Cup. Jordan also remained ahead of the Philippines as they occupied the 28th spot after staying idle.

“I’m disappointed with that. I think we deserved to rank higher than 31, that’s my personal opinion. I really couldn’t understand it,” Reyes continued. “We placed better [than Korea] in the FIBA Asia Championship last year, we placed better in the FIBA Asia Cup, and we placed better in the FIBA World Cup. I don’t understand why we only climbed three spots.”

The head coach, however, clarified that the team does not play for the rankings.

“We never play for the rankings,” Reyes said. “We play for pride, we play for our country, we play for our families. The ranking is just secondary.”