BEIJING, China — The Philippine team fell short in its effort to earn one of three slots in next year’s World Championship, but veteran center Asi Taulava is convinced the Nationals have overachieved themselves in the just-concluded FIBA-Asia Championship in Tianjin.

The 6-foo-9 Taulava said their failure to make it to the Final Four was a frustrating one but none was as excruciating as their 80-82 setback to the Koreans in a battle for seventh place.

But he’s not blaming anyone for their misfortunes.

In fact, he commended everybody, particularly the coaching staff led by Joseller “Yeng” Guiao, who said did everything it can for the country to qualify in the world event to be held in Turkey.

“I still think that what this team did was we overachieved,” Taulava, the oldest among the RP team players at 36, said. “People might think that we underachieved. The time, the things we put together in such a rush, I think it turned out pretty well.”

“It was unfair for coach Yeng and his staff that we have a crash course just for seven months and we only practice once every week,” Taulava added.

Taulava and fellow veteran big man Mick Pennisi were teammates for the third time in the national team.
 
Their first stint with the RP team was during the 2002 Busan Asian Games in Korea and then they were tapped anew for the FIBA-Asia Championship in Tokushima, Japan two years back, the qualifying of last year’s Beijing Olympics.

Guiao’s team made it to the quarterfinals but lost to tall and more experienced Jordan squad, 70-81.

“I’m a bit frustrated,” Taulava said “Our loss against Jordan that hurts a lot, same thing with Qatar (65-83) and Korea.”

“You know, it is different times, different era. I really don’t have words to describe the feelings I have right now. The only thing I can see is the lack of experience. I think it has to be on a consistent basis,” he added.

“It’s frustrating, to lose these games. But we did well. For the time we put together, I don’t think anybody can take anything away to coach Yeng. He did his best.”

Like Taulava, Pennisi said that this maybe his last stint with the national team, and he’s been grateful with the opportunity, saying: “It’s been a great privilege to serve the country.”

Echoing the sentiment of Guiao, Taulava is also batting for a consistent program.

He said that the PBA or the future Philippine teams have to compete yearly in FIBA competitions and not just wait every two, three years and put a team together.