MANILA (Philippines) - The Philippines has long been a basketball-crazy nation, with their men's national team often capturing the hearts of fans through thrilling performances on the world stage. While the country's history in FIBA competitions spans decades, some teams have stood out for their resilience, skill and sheer determination.
The five Philippine or Gilas Pilipinas national teams below are those who carved their place in basketball history, leaving behind moments that fans will never forget. Here's a look at the top five Gilas Pilipinas men's national basketball teams of all time in FIBA competitions.
5 - 2024 - FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament
In what many considered a David vs. Goliath matchup, Gilas Pilipinas stunned erstwhile No. 6-ranked Latvia with an 89-80 victory during the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024 held in Riga. This win was historic not only for being a rare triumph over a European powerhouse on their home turf but also for showcasing the evolution of Philippine basketball in the global arena. Led by the unstoppable Justin Brownlee and the gritty Kai Sotto, the team executed a near-flawless game plan, breaking Latvia’s formidable defense and controlling the tempo practically from start to finish.
This monumental win was the Philippines' first win against a European national team in an official FIBA tournament since 1960. It also reinforced the Philippines’ rightful place on the world basketball stage. The Latvian crowd couldn’t ignore the relentless spirit of Gilas Pilipinas as they pulled off one of the tournament’s biggest upsets. This performance also underscored the potential of the Gilas squad when their best talents can play together in harmony. The win over Latvia briefly breathed new life into the team’s Olympic dreams and fueled the belief that the Philippines could still contend with the best basketball nations.
4 - 2021 - FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers Window 3
In the midst of a global pandemic, the Philippine team at the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers 2022 became a beacon of hope and inspiration. Despite facing immense challenges, including limited preparation time and a roster filled with relatively green players, the squad managed to dominate the competition. A highlight of this campaign was the intense battle against long-time Asian rivals Korea, a team the Philippines hadn’t defeated in eight years. In their first matchup, the game came down to the wire with SJ Belangel draining a buzzer-beater three-pointer to win 81-78, sending Filipino fans into a frenzy.
Days later, Gilas Pilipinas beat Korea again in a scintillating 82-77 victory, securing their spot in the Asia Cup. This team, led by rising stars like Dwight Ramos and RJ Abarrientos, signified a new era for Philippine basketball and hinted at the potential of homegrown and young talent. This team's fearless attitude showed that the future of Gilas was bright.
3 - 2015 - FIBA Asia Cup
The FIBA Asia Cup 2015 in Changsha, China will forever be remembered for the grit and heart shown by Gilas Pilipinas. After a shaky start in the tournament, the team found their rhythm, upsetting heavyweights like Lebanon, Japan and Iran on their way to the Final. The semifinals win against Japan displayed the team’s powerful mix of Andray Blatche’s inside dominance, Jayson Castro’s backcourt wizardry and Dondon Hontiveros' hot shooting (six triples!). This kept their title dreams alive.
In the final, they faced China in a high-stakes game in front of an energetic Chinese crowd. Although they fell short in the title match, losing 78-67, this team’s relentless drive captivated fans. They reminded everyone that Philippine basketball could go toe-to-toe with Asia’s best, despite the odds. While they didn't clinch the championship, this team's resilience cemented their place as one of the finest in Philippine basketball history. Adding to the legendary status of this team was the fact that many of the biggest names in Philippine professional basketball weren't able to see action, like big men June Mar Fajardo and Japeth Aguilar.
2 - 2013 - FIBA Asia Cup
The 2013 FIBA Asia Cup was a watershed moment for Philippine basketball, as the national team reached the Final in front of an electrifying home crowd. For the first time in over three decades, the Philippines secured a ticket to the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2014. The team, fondly remembered as Gilas 2.0, was led by the terrific backcourt trio of Jayson Castro, LA Tenorio and Jimmy Alapag.
In a fabled semifinal game against Korea, the haunting “Korean curse” –- a longstanding history of heartbreaking losses to Korea in key matches -- loomed large. Gilas Pilipinas, however, rose to the occasion. Down by as many as 10 points and despite losing big man Marcus Douthit to injury, the Filipinos surged back behind Alapag’s three-pointers, Ranidel de Ocampo's guile and Marc Pingris’ grit. When the final buzzer sounded, Gilas overcame their rivals, 86-79, sending the entire SM Mall of Asia Arena into delirium.
The win sent the Philippines to the World Cup and the entire country erupted in celebration. Although they lost to Iran in the final, the team’s success on home soil symbolized a new beginning and strengthened the national identity around basketball.
1 - 2014 - FIBA Basketball World Cup
At the top of the list is the Philippine team that took the global stage at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2014 in Spain. Returning to the World Cup after 36 long years, the squad captured the world's attention with their run-and-gun style, never-say-die attitude and heart-stopping games.
Their opening game against Croatia set the tone as they pushed the heavily favored team to overtime before narrowly losing 81-78. Jimmy Alapag’s clutch shooting and Gabe Norwood’s highlight reel dunk over Argentina’s Luis Scola became defining moments, sparking worldwide attention. In their final match, the Philippines clinched a hard-fought 81-79 overtime victory over Senegal –- a win that broke a decades-long drought and left Filipino fans in tears.
This team, led by Alapag, Blatche, and the ever-reliable Norwood, may not have made it far in the standings. However, they won the admiration of an entire nation and made the Philippines proud on the world stage. This team’s journey resonated not only with Filipinos but with basketball fans globally. On the biggest stage of international basketball, Gilas Pilipinas showed that, win or lose, they had earned a place among the world’s best.
In a sport that has seen its fair share of ups and downs for the Philippines, these five teams have stood as pillars of passion and excellence. Each squad represented not just skill but the undying "puso" that defines Philippine basketball on the world stage.
FIBA
*This Top Five and the honorable mention are entirely subjective and in no way represent an official or accurate award, nor do they reflect FIBA's official stance. All comments are solely those of the author and expert panel, intended to entertain the fans.