FOSHAN (FIBA U16 Asia Championship) - Macau have not had much success at the FIBA U16 Asia Championship here in Foshan, but that doesn't mean they haven't learned any lessons.

On the contrary, the team's collective experience here will benefit them and the entire Macanese basketball program in the long term.

"This is good because we get to experience high levels of competition," said Macau forward Keenan Navalta. "This will be a really big benefit for us, especially in terms of adding to our experience."

Macau have absorbed two stinging defeats already in the competition, losing to Chinese Taipei on Day 1, 122-47, and to Iran on Day 2, 148-45. Despite the huge margins of defeat, Navalta remains upbeat and chooses to see the positives in the results.

"Even if we lost, we learned about the importance of teamwork, communication and defense," he said. "Our opponents had really good defense. Their communication as a unit was also very good even if they had a mix of starters and bench players on the court."

Navalta is currently among Macau's most productive players, averaging 10.0 points and 2.5 rebounds per game. He learned to play from the national team's coaching staff, who've been his coaches since he started playing the game.

"I learned from my coaches because they've coached me since I was little," he explained. "But perhaps my biggest influence is my dad, who really got me into the sport to keep me away from vices."

The 5ft 11in (1.80m) Navalta says he tries to model his style of play after some of his idols from the NBA and from Asia.

"I'd say my favorite player is Jeff Teague from the NBA," he said. "But from Asia, I'd say my idol is Terrence Romeo, especially since I have Filipino roots."

This is good because we get to experience high levels of competition. This will be a really big benefit for us, especially in terms of adding to our experience.Keenan NavaltaKeenan Navalta

Looking ahead, Navalta knows that their chances of advancing to the Quarter-Finals are very slim, but as always, he looks at the silver lining. All the things he and his teammates have experienced here in Foshan should give them the drive to continue improving for the sake of Macau basketball.

"Since we lost by big margins, this should push us in terms of training," he said. "This experience will force us to train harder and give our heart out for Macau."

FIBA