MANILA, Philippines – People in the Philippines have long been passionate about basketball, with their men’s national team frequently winning their hearts with unforgettable performances on the international stage. Over the decades spent in FIBA competitions, some of the Philippine selections have left a special memory in the collective memory through resilience, skills and determination.
The five Philippine national teams below are those that we believe have made the most impact on the country’s basketball history, providing their fans with unforgettable moments. Here is our Top 5 “Gilas Pilipinas” in FIBA competitions:
5 – 2024 – FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament
At the end of what many observers considered a David versus Goliath duel, the Gilas Pilipinas surprised Latvia, then ranked 6e rank, with a score of 89-80 during the FIBA 2024 Olympic Qualifying Tournament organized at home in Riga. This victory was not only special because it was won against one of the dominant nations in European basketball on its soil, but also because it allowed us to measure how far the Filipinos have come on the international scene. Led by the unstoppable Justin Brownlee and the reckless Kai Sotto, the team executed the game plan almost to perfection, undermining the formidable opposing defense and controlling the pace of the game from start to finish.
This monumental success was in fact the first for the Philippines against a European national team in an official FIBA tournament since 1960, further justifying their presence at the world level. Latvian fans were also able to admire the fantastic atmosphere created in the room by the opposing public when it was time to sign one of the biggest surprises of the event. This performance also highlighted the full potential of the Gilas when all their best players are available and show selflessness. This success against Latvia had revived the Olympic dreams of the Filipinos and confirmed that they could compete with the best nations in the world.
4 – 2021 – FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers – Window 3
In the midst of a global pandemic, the Philippines team in the FIBA Asia Cup 2022 Qualifiers has become a symbol of hope and a source of inspiration. Despite the immense challenges that stood in its way, including a short preparation and a relatively inexperienced squad, the Philippine selection managed to dominate the competition. One of the highlights of this qualifying campaign was the intense battle against Korea, a long-time rival against whom the Philippines had not won for eight years. During their first confrontation, the match was decided on a three-point shot at the buzzer converted by SJ Belangel to offer the victory (81-78) to the Gilas, to the delight of their fans.
A few days later, the Gilas Pilipinas won again against Korea after a brilliant match (82-77), a success synonymous with qualification for the FIBA Asia Cup. This team, led by the promising Dwight Ramos and RJ Abarrientos, marked the beginning of a new era for Filipino basketball, giving a glimpse of the potential of the Filipinos trained in the country, which also reassured their fans about the future of their national team.
3 – 2015 – FIBA Asia Cup
We will always remember the determination and heart shown by the Gilas Pilipinas who participated in the FIBA Asia Cup 2015 in Changsha (China). After a difficult start to the competition, they ended up finding their rhythm, enough to surprise Lebanon, Japan and Iran on their way to the final. In the semi-finals against Japan, the Filipinos were able to count on the athletic Andray Blatche, the leading genius of Jayson Castro and the skill of Dondon Hontiveros (author of six winning shots in this match!) to keep their dreams alive of title.
In the final, they found themselves pitted against China, supported by their energetic crowd. Despite the defeat (67-78), the efforts and determination of the Philippines team commanded the admiration of the fans present. She had reminded everyone that she could compete with all the nations of Asia. Although ultimately defeated in the final, the exemplary attitude of this selection cemented its place among the best in the history of Philippine basketball, especially since it had to do without key players such as the interiors on this occasion. June Mar Fajardo and Japeth Aguilar.
2 – 2013 – FIBA Asia Cup
The 2013 FIBA Asia Cup marked a watershed moment in Philippine basketball history, qualifying for the finals in front of a raucous home crowd. For the first time in more than three decades, the Philippines qualified for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2014. The team, dubbed “Gilas 2.0”, was guided by the trio of guards consisting of Jayson Castro, LA Tenorio and Jimmy Alapag.
At the end of a legendary semi-final against Korea, which in previous years had become the bête noire of the Philippines by winning more than once against them, the Gilas had finally been able to stop the series of mortifying defeats against the Koreans. Trailing by 10 points and also having to deal without their interior Marcus Douthit, out due to injury, the Filipinos took advantage of Alapag’s three-point shots, the cunning of Ranidel de Ocampo and the nerves of steel of Marc Pingris. When the final siren sounded, the scoreboard sealed the triumph of the Filipinos with a score of 86-79, enough to trigger popular jubilation in the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
This success allowed the Philippines to qualify for the 2014 FIBA World Cup, to the delight of the fervent Filipino public. Even beaten by Iran in the final, this team symbolized the revival of Philippine basketball and reinforced the feeling of national pride towards it.
1 – 2014 – FIBA World Cup
At the top of this ranking of the five best Philippine teams of all time is the one that represented the country at the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Spain. Back in the world tournament after 36 long years of absence, the Philippine selection seduced the public with its fast style of play, its determination and the emotions that it had continued to manifest and arouse.
In the opening, the Filipinos set the tone by pushing Croatia, one of the favorites, to its very last limits before narrowly losing (78-81). Jimmy Alapag stood out with his shooting skills in hot moments and Gabe Norwood’s dunk on Argentinian legend Luis Scola went around the world. In their final match, the Philippines picked up a prestigious victory against Senegal (81-79) after overtime – a success which put an end to decades of defeats and which made Gilas fans cry with happiness.
Led by Alapag, Blatche and the always reliable Norwood, this team may not have ranked very high at the end of the competition, but it had won the admiration of an entire nation and it had brought enormous of pride to the Filipino people. His campaign during the event appealed to basketball fans far beyond the borders of the Philippines. This group of players had indeed proven that they deserved their place on the international scene, and that this merit was not measured simply in victories and defeats.
Throughout its history, the Philippine national team has experienced quite a few ups and downs, but it is undeniable that these five teams have been proofs of passion and excellence, distinguished above all by morale, self-sacrifice and unfailing determination, the famous “puso” that defines Filipino basketball on the world stage.
FIBA
