MANILA (SEABA Championship 2017) - Wutipong Dasom is the only player who has reached the 40-point mark in the SEABA Championship 2017, and he believes even that may not be enough to beat the Philippines.

Dasom, who has seen his role change from national team starting wingman to a member of the supporting cast, scored a combined 15 points in Thailand's first three games, but yesterday he popped the cap for 40 in an unequivocal rout of Myanmar. The 1.95m forward shot 19-of-25 from the field to go along with 11 rebounds. Sure, coach Tim Lewis was probably preserving guys like Chitchai Ananti and Teerawat Chanthachon for the bigger battle that awaits them against the hosts, but there's no scoffing at what Dasom accomplished. 40 points is still 40 points.

Can he repeat that feat and against Gilas Pilipinas no less? Hardly conceivable given how the Filipinos have been so airtight on both ends of the floor, but Dasom also notes it's not impossible for them to put a scare and maybe pull one over the ballyhooed home team. He knows that the quality of Thai hoops is rising rapidly, and as long as they continue on this path, they may just reach the Philippines' level sooner rather than later.

He expounded on this in an interview with FIBA.com

How do you feel about how Thailand have fared so far in this tournament?
There were really only two games we were focusing on — Indonesia a few days ago and Philippines. I think have done okay so far, but we should have won against Indonesia. Our understanding of the game is still developing. We're growing in how we play this game - what shots to take, what not to take, things like that - so considering that, we're okay so far.

After about a year, have the players adjusted to coach Tim Lewis and his system?
Coach Tim is new, and his system is new. Perhaps we need a bit more time to get the players together and get everything in sync. These things take a while, but we're okay right now. There are things changing, and we're moving in a good direction.

Speaking of good direction, Thailand's pro league seems to be thriving. How has this helped the quality of Thai basketball improve?
Having a league is one thing, but we need to do a better job of teaching players how to play the game the right way. For instance, you have 5'9 guys in the NBA like Isaiah Thomas, so size doesn't really matter. It's all about understanding the game and learning how to play it at a very high level.

Your next opponent, the Philippines, have been playing at a very high level. How can Thailand match that in your big game on Day 5?
The Philippines is a team that even without plays or coaching, they know how to play good basketball. We have to understand the game in a way that will challenge the Philippines. They have a huge advantage in technique and skill over all teams here, so we have to be really composed and play very good basketball. We need out AAA game for that.

FIBA