TIANJIN, China — Philippine team coach Yeng Guiao said the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) should explore the possibility of again representing the Philippines in future international competitions saying the team being developed by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas does not yet have the material to compete at the level of other Asian countries

He said the PBA should train and form a selection during the break so that it will be ready when the occasion calls for a strong national team to international competitions. This team, he said, should play abroad to stay in touch with the global level of play.

“Hindi matatalikuran ng PBA iyan (RP Team),” Guiao said. “So pwedeng magtayo ng PBA selection that will meet tuwing break, lalabas, play abroad.”

Guiao made his comment Tuesday, hours before the Nationals battled defending FIBA-Asia champion Iran, a game they lost, 88-78.

He said the idea that the Philippines is best in Asia has been debunked long ago.

“We cannot keep on selling the perception that we are the best in Asia,” he said. “Tinatalo tayo kapag lumalabas tayo.”

But he said that with the right people and the proper training, the Philippines can be competitive again.

“Kaya natin,” he said.

During the Jones Cup last month in Taipei, Guiao and Barangay Ginebra coach Jong Uichico endorsed the formation of a pool of PBA players that would train during the mid-season break and the off-season.

Guiao said the national development team formed by the SBP team handled by Serbian coach Rajko Toroman would have a hard time competing two years from now.

“Yung commercial value ng RP Team, kunin na ng PBA. Merong pera dyan, pwede mong i-franchise yun e. Like USA Basketball. Bakit n’yo ibibigay sa SBP wala namang materyales ang SBP?” he said.

Guiao said the program should focus first on beating Japan, Chinese-Taipei and South Korea on a regular basis.

The Nationals beat Japan (78-69) and Taiwan (77-70) but lost to South Korea (56-69) in this tournament.

When successful against the three nations, Guiao said the program can then concentrate on the Middle East teams like Iran, Jordan and Lebanon, as well as Asian powerhouse China.

Guiao said regular foreign trips will benefit the PBA in the long run.

Players like James Yap and Willie Miller, who consider themselves great shooters, will realize that in international play, they are ordinary mortals. But by competing abroad, they will learn and improve.

“And when they get better, the league gets better. The same way with all the players,” he said.

Guiao said the PBA can only improve through international competition.

He said competing with the same teams and players year in and year out will be counter-productive.

“In-breeding lang yan,” he said.