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Author: Andre Sotelo

  • PLDT eyes solo PVL lead, Choco Mucho targets third straight win as prelim action resumes

    PLDT eyes solo PVL lead, Choco Mucho targets third straight win as prelim action resumes

    Momentum will be on the line when the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference resumes Tuesday at the FilOil Playtime Centre, with PLDT and Choco Mucho both looking to build on their recent surge.

     

    The High Speed Hitters and the Flying Titans enter the day with renewed confidence after strong performances in their previous matches, but each will have to navigate opponents desperate to reverse their fortunes before the preliminary round winds down.

     

    PLDT, currently holding a 5-1 record, has a chance to seize the solo lead when it squares off with the Galeries Tower Highrisers in the 4 p.m. opener.

     

    A victory would push the High Speed Hitters past sister team Cignal at the top of the standings as the race toward the closing stretch of the single-round preliminaries tightens.

     

    The High Speed Hitters bounced back strongly after seeing their three-game winning streak halted by the Super Spikers. They responded with a dominant straight-sets win over the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles before grinding out a five-set victory against the Farm Fresh Foxies.

     

    That stretch highlighted the depth that has made PLDT one of the most formidable squads in the conference.

     

    Savi Davison and Kim Dy remain the focal points of the attack, while middle blockers Mika Reyes and Majoy Baron continue to provide a strong presence at the net. The High Speed Hitters also benefit from a deep supporting cast that includes Jessey de Leon, Alleiah Malaluan, Jovie Prado, and Kiesha Bedonia.

     

    Still, PLDT head coach Rald Ricafort stressed that rankings mean little in a league where any team can rise on a given day.

     

    “Well, ang mindset naman this conference regardless kung sino kalaban, kung ano ‘man yung ranking nila, wala na magiging basis eh kung ano yung magiging laro,” said Ricafort.

     

    “Kita nyo naman yung kanina, kita nyo rin yung ibang games, kahit sino talaga so ang nagiging challenge ko nalang talaga sa players regardless ng results mabilis mag-move on and magprepare ulit sa susunod na laro,” he added.

     

    Galeries Tower, which holds a 2-4 record, will be eager to halt a two-game skid after absorbing losses to Choco Mucho and Creamline. The Highrisers previously pulled off a surprise victory against Nxled and remain capable of challenging stronger teams.

     

    Coach Clarence Esteban is expected to rely on key contributors such as Jean Asis, Aiza Pontillas, Erika Deloria, Roselle Baliton, Erika Raagas, Gayle Pascual, Lycha Ebon, and setter Julia Coronel to keep the match competitive.

     

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    In the evening showdown at 6:30 p.m., Choco Mucho hopes to keep its own surge going when it faces Farm Fresh.

     

    The Flying Titans appear to have rediscovered their rhythm after dealing with injuries in past conferences. Their recent form has been fueled by the scoring partnership of Sisi Rondina and Eya Laure, whose consistent production has lifted the team to fourth place in the standings.

     

    Choco Mucho head coach Dante Alinsunurin emphasized that the team must continue putting in the work to maintain its momentum.

     

    “Siyempre tatrabahuhin ulit namin. Ibibigay namin sa mga players namin kung ano ‘yung dapat naming gawin,” said Alinsunurin.

     

    Farm Fresh, however, has proven to be far from an easy opponent.

     

    Despite back-to-back losses — both coming in five-set battles — the Foxies have shown the ability to push contenders to the limit. Trisha Tubu remains one of the league’s most dangerous scorers and will again lead the offense alongside Ces Molina, Royse Tubino, Mylene Paat, Riri Meneses, Rizza Cruz, and Jolina Dela Cruz. Veteran Ara Galang could also see increased minutes as the team searches for a breakthrough.

     

    With the top four teams advancing directly to the Qualifying Round, every result carries significant weight as the fight for positioning intensifies.

     

    For PLDT and Choco Mucho, the goal is clear — keep the momentum alive. But with their opponents equally motivated to change their trajectory, Tuesday’s twin bill promises to be anything but straightforward.

     

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  • Uzbekistan win puts Filipinas’ AFC Women’s Asian Cup quarterfinal hopes in jeopardy

    Uzbekistan win puts Filipinas’ AFC Women’s Asian Cup quarterfinal hopes in jeopardy

    The Philippine women’s national football team found its path to the knockout stage suddenly far more complicated on Monday night.

     

    The Filipinas’ hopes of advancing in the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup took a hit after Uzbekistan produced a commanding 4-0 victory over Bangladesh in their Group B match in Perth, Australia.

     

    The result dramatically reshaped the race for the tournament’s two best third-placed teams — the final available slots for the quarterfinal round.

     

     

    Uzbekistan entered the match needing a decisive win to stay alive in the standings and delivered exactly that, scoring four times to boost its goal tally and edge the Philippines in the rankings.

     

     

    The decisive moment came late in the match when Nilufar Kudratova struck in the 88th minute to seal the scoreline, a goal that carried massive implications beyond the match itself.

     

     

    That final strike lifted Uzbekistan level with the Philippines in goal difference at -2, but the Central Asian side overtook the Filipinas in the standings thanks to a higher number of goals scored in the tournament, 6 compared to the Philippines’ four.

     

     

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    Despite the setback, the Filipinas are not yet officially out of contention.

     

     

    Their fate now hinges on the outcome of Group C, where Vietnam — currently the third-placed team in that group — will face powerhouse Japan on Tuesday night.

     

     

    For the Philippines to sneak into the quarterfinals, Japan must defeat Vietnam by at least three goals, a result that would push Vietnam’s goal difference down and allow the Filipinas to reclaim a spot among the two best third-placed teams.

     

     

    Vietnam, like the Philippines and Uzbekistan, has one victory in the tournament but currently holds a stronger goal difference of 0, putting them ahead in the standings.

     

     

    The stakes are significant beyond just the Asian Cup knockout stage.

     

     

    A quarterfinal berth would keep the Filipinas firmly in the hunt for a direct qualification slot to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, as the top six teams in the continental tournament will secure automatic entry to the global showpiece.

     

     

    For now, the Philippine squad can only wait — and hope that results elsewhere swing the door back open.

     

     

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  • Alex Eala assured of new career-high in WTA rankings after Indian Wells run

    Alex Eala assured of new career-high in WTA rankings after Indian Wells run

    Alex Eala’s breakout 2026 season continues to reach new heights.

     

    The 20-year-old Filipina is assured of a new career-best ranking in the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) standings following her impressive run at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California.

     

    After reaching the Round of 16 of the prestigious WTA 1000 tournament, Eala climbed to No. 28 in the WTA live rankings, ensuring she will finish the event inside the Top 30 for the first time in her career once the rankings are officially updated.

     

    Her rise was fueled by two crucial victories against high-quality opposition.

     

    Eala opened her campaign in the Round of 64 with a gritty three-set victory over Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska, prevailing 7-5, 4-6, 7-5 in a tightly contested battle to advance to the next round.

     

    The Filipina followed that up with the biggest win of her Indian Wells campaign, stunning world No. 4 Coco Gauff in the Round of 32. Eala dominated the match early, leading 6-2, 2-0 before the American was forced to retire due to a left-arm injury.

     

    The result not only propelled Eala into the fourth round of the tournament but also evened her head-to-head record with Gauff after previously losing to the American in the quarterfinals of the Dubai Tennis Championships just weeks earlier. 

     

     

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    If Eala manages to win against her next opponent Linda Noskova, the victory will propel her four spots up to No. 24 in the WTA rankings, setting her up for a possible Top-20 ranking in the upcoming Miami Open. 

     

    Indian Wells marks another significant milestone for the young Filipina, who has steadily climbed the rankings in the past year. She previously reached a career-high of No. 31 in February 2026, becoming the highest-ranked Filipina in WTA Tour history.

     

    Now guaranteed a Top-30 finish after the tournament, Eala continues to cement her place among the elite players on the WTA circuit.

     

    Training under coach Joan Bosch at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca, the left-handed star has been building momentum with deep runs in major events, including a quarterfinal finish at the Dubai Championships earlier this season.

     

    Her latest surge at Indian Wells not only boosts her ranking but also further strengthens her growing reputation as one of the most exciting young talents on the women’s tour.

     

    With a new career high already secured, Eala now looks to keep the momentum going as she continues her campaign in one of tennis’ biggest tournaments outside the Grand Slams. 

     

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  • Calvin Oftana cautions against high expectations for TNT import Bol Bol

    Calvin Oftana cautions against high expectations for TNT import Bol Bol

    The arrival of Bol Bol has instantly made TNT one of the most talked-about teams ahead of the 2026 PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

     

    But for Tropang Giga forward Calvin Oftana, the presence of the 7-foot-3 former NBA big man doesn’t automatically translate to a championship repeat.

     

    Speaking on the sidelines of the PBA All-Star Weekend, Oftana stressed that reputation alone won’t decide the outcome of games once the conference begins.

     

    “Hindi naman porke ganito yung import ninyo, ganun ang import ninyo,” said Oftana.

     

    “Pagdating naman kasi sa laro iba na yung mindset nun. Lahat gustong manalo.”

     

    The Gilas Pilipinas forward admitted he has yet to spend much time on the court with Bol as he was busy with national team duties during the recent FIBA World Cup qualifiers before turning his attention to rehabilitating an ankle injury.

     

    Because of that, Oftana said he hasn’t been able to fully gauge where the towering reinforcement currently stands in terms of conditioning.

     

    “So far OK naman siya pero sabi nga nila wala raw sa kundisyon,” he said.

     

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    Fortunately for TNT, the team still has time to build chemistry before opening its campaign. The Tropang Giga are scheduled to play their first game of the conference on March 20 against Rain or Shine.

     

    Despite the attention surrounding Bol’s arrival, Oftana shared that the South Sudanese-American has kept a low-key presence within the team.

     

    “Approachable naman siya, pero mahinhin,” said the former NCAA MVP from San Beda.

     

    “Pero ganun naman ang mga import. Dati si Rondae (Hollis-Jefferson) ganun din naman. Pero kalaunan nung naglalaro na kami, nakukuha na namin yung loob niya. And napapatawa na siya ng mga kasama ko.”

     

    Even as TNT prepares to defend its crown, Oftana believes the road to another title will be far from easy.

     

    He pointed to several contenders who could stand in the way of the Tropang Giga’s bid, including powerhouse teams San Miguel Beer and Barangay Ginebra, along with guest squad Macau Black Bears.

     

    “Maraming quality imports na dumating ngayon this conference,” Oftana admitted.

     

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  • Gilas Pilipinas Women head to France for FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifiers 

    Gilas Pilipinas Women head to France for FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifiers 

    Gilas Pilipinas Women have begun their journey toward a potential return to the global stage, departing for Lyon, France on Sunday night to compete in the FIBA Women’s World Cup 2026 Qualifying Tournament.

     

    The Philippine squad left Manila carrying a mix of experience and youth as they prepare for a demanding schedule against some of the world’s top-ranked teams.

     

    Among those who made the trip were Afril Bernardino, Janine Pontejos, Kacey dela Rosa, Kent Pastrana, Ann Pingol, Trina Guytingco, Angel Surada, Stefanie Berberabe, and Louna Ozar. Leading the delegation is Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Erika Dy along with head coach Patrick Aquino.

     

    The trip also serves as a reunion for several members of the national pool who recently shared success on the regional stage. Bernardino, Pontejos, Surada, Ozar, Dignadice, Pingol, Guytingco, Dela Rosa, and Heyn were part of the Philippine squad that captured the gold medal in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games, giving the team a strong sense of continuity heading into the qualifiers.

     

     

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    In Lyon, however, Gilas Women will face a far tougher challenge.

     

    The Philippines opens its campaign against world No. 3 France on Thursday at 3:30 a.m. Manila time before facing No. 12 Germany on Friday at 12 a.m. The team then continues its schedule against No. 8 Nigeria on Saturday at 9 p.m., No. 15 South Korea on Sunday at 7:30 p.m., and No. 19 Colombia on Tuesday at 9 p.m.

     

    Currently ranked No. 39 in the world, the Filipinas enter the tournament as underdogs but remain determined to test themselves against higher-ranked competition.

     

    The road to qualification will not be easy, with only two teams from Tournament D advancing to the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup set for September 4 to 13 in Berlin.

     

    Germany has already secured its place as the host nation, while Nigeria booked its spot by winning the 2025 Afrobasket, leaving the remaining teams battling for the final berths in the global showcase. 

     

     

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  • Japeth Aguilar turns back the clock, becomes oldest MVP in PBA All-Star Game history

    Japeth Aguilar turns back the clock, becomes oldest MVP in PBA All-Star Game history

    Veteran high-flyer Japeth Aguilar proved that age is just a number as he delivered a spectacular performance to headline the 2026 PBA All-Star Game in Candon City.

     

    Celebrating his 10th appearance in the league’s annual midseason showcase, the 39-year-old Barangay Ginebra big man turned in a crowd-pleasing performance to power Solid North to a 147-142 victory over South on Sunday night at the Candon City Arena.

     

    Aguilar dazzled the fans with 29 points, highlighted by a flawless display in the dunk attempts where he converted all seven tries — each worth three points in the All-Star format.

     

    His final slam came with just 24 seconds remaining and effectively sealed the win for the North squad, extending its dominance in the exhibition to six straight victories over the South since the 2010 edition.

     

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    For his efforts, Aguilar was named the Most Valuable Player, making him the oldest player ever to capture the award in the history of the PBA All-Star Game.

     

    “I’m just enjoying this All-Star game,” said Aguilar.

     

    The achievement also gave Aguilar his third All-Star MVP recognition, though it marked his first time winning the honor outright.

     

    He previously shared the award with Arwind Santos in 2019 and with Robert Bolick in 2024.

     

    Aguilar’s latest accolade also came with a historical footnote. The veteran center surpassed the previous record held by Santos, who was 37 years old when he won the All-Star MVP in 2019.

     

    More than the numbers, Aguilar’s performance served as a reminder that even after nearly two decades in the league, the athletic big man can still rise above the rim — and the competition — when the spotlight shines brightest.

     

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  • Filipinas keep AFC Women’s Asian Cup quarterfinal hopes alive with win over Iran

    Filipinas keep AFC Women’s Asian Cup quarterfinal hopes alive with win over Iran

    The Philippine Women’s National Football Team kept its tournament hopes alive just in time.

     

    Facing elimination, the Filipinas delivered when it mattered most, defeating Iran, 2-0, in their final Group A match of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 at the Gold Coast Stadium in Australia.

     

    The crucial victory gave the Philippines its first win of the tournament after earlier defeats to regional heavyweights Australia and South Korea, keeping the team in the hunt for a place in the knockout stage.

     

    Sara Eggesvik provided the breakthrough in the 29th minute, putting the Filipinas ahead midway through the first half on a rainy night in Gold Coast. The Filipinas then protected the slim advantage for most of the match before Chandler McDaniel added an insurance goal in the 82nd minute to seal the result.

     

    With the win, the Philippines finished third in Group A with three points and now awaits the outcomes of the other groups to determine its fate.

     

    Under the tournament format, the top two teams from each of the three groups advance automatically to the quarterfinals. They will be joined by the two best third-placed teams across all groups to complete the eight-team knockout bracket.

     

     

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    Those quarterfinalists will also compete for six automatic qualification spots allotted to the Asian Football Confederation for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

     

    Goal difference is expected to play a major role in deciding which third-placed teams advance.

     

    At the moment, the Filipinas hold a goal difference of minus-two, putting them in a competitive position among the third-placed teams. Vietnam currently leads that race from Group C with a zero goal difference and one win.

     

    The Philippines’ chances will hinge partly on the outcome of the Group B battle for third place between Bangladesh and Uzbekistan, two teams still searching for their first victory in the tournament.

     

    The Filipinas nearly widened their winning margin late in the match when McDaniel found the back of the net again, but the goal was overturned following a VAR review.

     

    Still, the two-goal victory was enough to keep the Philippines’ quarterfinal dream alive as the team now waits to see if its effort will be enough to secure a place in the next round.

     

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  • Alex Eala advances to Indian Wells Round of 16 after Coco Gauff retires, faces Linda Noskova next 

    Alex Eala advances to Indian Wells Round of 16 after Coco Gauff retires, faces Linda Noskova next 

    Alex Eala’s impressive run at the 2026 BNP Paribas Open continued in dramatic fashion after the Filipina advanced to the Round of 16 following the retirement of American star Coco Gauff on Monday at Indian Wells.

     

    The 20-year-old Eala was already in firm control of the match, leading 6-2, 2-0, when the world No. 4 decided she could not continue after roughly 55 minutes of play, surprising the packed Sunday crowd at the famed California venue.

     

    It was evident early in the match that Gauff was not at full strength. The American called for a medical timeout during the opening set to receive treatment on her left wrist. Despite returning to the court, she struggled to regain rhythm and eventually retired after being broken on her first service game in the second set.

     

    The victory marked another milestone for Eala, who evened her career head-to-head record with Gauff at 1-1. The Filipina had previously fallen to the American in the quarterfinals of the Dubai Tennis Championships just two weeks earlier.

     

     

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    Now riding that momentum, Eala moves into the fourth round of the prestigious WTA 1000 tournament, where she will face Czech Republic’s Linda Noskova.

     

    Noskova, ranked No. 14 in the world, secured her place in the Round of 16 after battling past Romania’s Sorana Cirstea, 6(5)-7, 6-4, 6-4.

     

    Eala continues her Indian Wells campaign with guidance from Sandro Viaene of the Rafa Nadal Academy, who has joined her at the tournament alongside her main coach Joan Bosch.

     

    While pleased with the result, the young Filipina acknowledged the unfortunate circumstances of the victory, especially given her respect for Gauff both on and off the court.

     

    “Thank you, Coco, for being an amazing competitor and role model,” Eala said. “I didn’t want to win this way but I’m grateful and happy.

     

     

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  • Tots Carlos named PVL Player of the Week after Creamline’s fifth-straight win

    Tots Carlos named PVL Player of the Week after Creamline’s fifth-straight win

    Creamline’s resurgence at the top of the standings has been powered in part by the return of a familiar force.

     

    Tots Carlos, now fully recovered from a knee injury that sidelined her for months, has begun to resemble the dominant scorer who once ruled the league — a resurgence that earned her the PVL Press Corps Player of the Week honors presented by Pilipinas Live for March 3 to 7.

     

    The three-time Most Valuable Player delivered back-to-back standout performances to help the Cool Smashers maintain their momentum in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference.

     

    Carlos first set the tone with a 19-point outing to go along with 13 digs in Creamline’s four-set win over the Galeries Tower Highrisers, 25-14, 17-25, 25-18, 25-23, last Tuesday at the FilOil Centre.

     

    She followed it up with another all-around effort in a grueling five-set battle against Nxled, finishing with 16 points and 13 digs as the Cool Smashers escaped with a 25-16, 22-25, 25-21, 15-25, 15-10 victory.

     

    For Carlos, the recent stretch is more than just about numbers — it’s a sign that she has finally regained her rhythm after a long recovery process.

     

    “I would say na mas gumaan na ‘yung feeling kasi ‘yun nga, grateful ako kay Coach na binigyan nila ako ng time na makarecover. Alam naman ni Coach na pag okay na ako, babalik ako. Masaya lang ako na may ganong klaseng support,” said Carlos.

     

     

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    The veteran opposite hitter also admitted that the intense five-set duel against Nxled reminded her how much she missed playing in high-pressure situations.

     

    “It was exciting also, kasi it’s been a while since I experienced yung ganong experience din, so natutuwa ako na naexperience ko siya ulit, magkakasama kami na talagang nilaban namin lahat,” she said.

     

    Even with the emotional swings of tight matches, Carlos stressed that maintaining composure remains a key principle for the Cool Smashers as the conference progresses.

     

    “Ako personally, meron akong sariling goal and sariling reason going to the game. Natuwa ako na na-experience namin ‘yung ganong scenario na kasi nga sila coach laging sinasabi na pag sumobra naman kami sa gigil, hindi makakatulong sa amin, composure lang talaga and ‘yun nga, trabaho lang,” she added.

     

    Carlos edged out a strong field of candidates for the weekly citation, including Creamline teammate Jema Galanza, PLDT star Savi Davison, Choco Mucho’s Sisi Rondina, Cignal’s Vanie Gandler, and Akari’s Ivy Lacsina.

     

    With Carlos regaining top form, the Cool Smashers will look to keep their momentum going when they face the Akari Chargers on Thursday, March 12, as Creamline continues its push for another PVL title.

     

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  •  Gilas Pilipinas holds No. 36 in FIBA rankings despite tough World Cup Qualifier window

     Gilas Pilipinas holds No. 36 in FIBA rankings despite tough World Cup Qualifier window

    The recent home stand of Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers may not have produced the results the team hoped for, but it did little to shake their position in the global rankings.

     

    Despite back-to-back defeats against two of Oceania’s basketball powerhouses, the Philippines remained at No. 36 in the latest FIBA world rankings released on March 3.

     

    Gilas endured a difficult second window in front of the home crowd at the Mall of Asia Arena, falling just short in a tight battle with New Zealand before suffering a lopsided loss to Australia days later.

     

    The Nationals were first dealt a heartbreaking 69-66 defeat by the Tall Blacks last Thursday, where the Filipinos stayed within striking distance throughout but ultimately could not close the gap in the final moments.

     

    Things became even tougher on Sunday as Australia asserted its depth and firepower, handing Gilas a 93-66 loss to cap the window.

     

    Even with the setbacks, the Philippines maintained its No. 36 ranking — the same position it climbed to in December 2025 following dominant victories against Guam in the previous qualifying window.

     

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    The latest update also saw minimal movement among Asia’s top basketball nations.

    Australia remained the highest-ranked team in the region, holding steady at No. 6 in the world, while Japan stayed firm at No. 22.

     

    New Zealand, meanwhile, edged up one spot to No. 24 after its recent performances, while China climbed to No. 26 in the rankings. Iran slipped slightly to No. 28.

     

    Lebanon, despite an emphatic 94-64 win over Saudi Arabia, dropped to No. 33 after its second scheduled game against India was postponed amid tensions in the Middle East.

     

    With the second window now in the books, Gilas Pilipinas will shift its focus to the third window of the qualifiers in July, where the Filipinos are set for another showdown against both Australia and New Zealand.

     

    The upcoming matches could provide the Nationals another opportunity not only to bounce back on the court but also to improve their standing in the world rankings.

     

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