Will Gilas survive in Spain?

With the FIBA 2014 World Cup starting in a few minutes, the Philippines, which qualified for the first time in 36 years after clinching silver in last year's FIBA Asia Championship, will be struggling to fight the other top powerhouse teams coming from the different continental championships for a chance to bring home the elusive world championship title.

With the Gilas Pilipinas finding itself in Group B, the way to victory is surely not that easy as they first need to face off great rosters of players coming from the teams of Croatia, Greece, Argentina, Puerto Rico, and Senegal in the elimination round and needs at least two wins to proceed to the semifinals.

Asian Championships

Gilas qualified in the World Cup for the first time in 36 years after beating South Korea in the semifinals of the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship held in Manila, the country's capital city, last August 1-11 last year. However, Iran beat the Philippine national basketball team in the finals.

Iran, the Philippines, and South Korea earned the three berths allotted for Asia to participate in the World Cup starting today in Spain.

World Rankings

After last year's Asian finals, the FIBA World Rankings named the Philippines one of the biggest climbers, having rose climbed 11 spots, and now rank 34 from 45.

2019 Bid

Samahan ng Basketbol ng Pilipinas President Manny V. Pangilinan confirmed last July 17, 2014 that the country is bidding to host the FIBA 2019 World Cup, announcing through SBP that there are now four possible venues to be used, the Mall of Asia Arena, Smart Araneta Coliseum, Philippine Arena and a to-be-built arena in Cebu.

The Philippines previously hosted the basketball world championship in 1978.

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