FOSHAN (China) - Amidst overflowing disappointment following a winless First Round campaign, the Philippines choose to face an uncertain future and their last two games at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 with unity and optimism.

The Philippines' three losses - the latest one an overtime heart-breaker against Angola - have uncovered the flaws in the Filipinos' approach to world level competition and have opened tough questions they need to answer for the national team's future outcomes.

Head coach Yeng Guiao didn't duck the issue after his team absorbed a 59-point loss to Serbia three nights ago.

"We've been playing Asian level basketball, but of course, the world level is different – several notches different," said Guiao, who is coaching at this stage for the first time in his career. "The expectations are different. When you get to the World Cup – or maybe the Olympics – the competition is just different. Totally different than the Asian level."

For the 60-year-old bench tactician, who's won multiple championships back home in the Philippines, it's clear that for the national team to be more competitive in the future, they need players who can match up better with bigger guys from other continents, and that these players need much more exposure to world level basketball than they are currently getting.

"We need certain types of players, and we need more exposure to this level of play," he explained. "These are the things that I guess we need to work on, but it's always long-term. I don't think there's any short-term solution to that."

Looking ahead, the concern is noticeable on coach Guiao's face as he envisions the Philippines' hosting of the FIBA Basketball World Cup in 2023. He is aware that as hosts, they need to play at a higher level, but he is optimistic about their ability to rise to the challenge.

"WE NEED CERTAIN TYPES OF PLAYERS, AND WE NEED MORE EXPOSURE TO THIS LEVEL OF PLAY."YENG GUIAO

"We don't get to the World Cup too often, but of course, we also got here the last time," he said. "And we'll get there the next time, too, because it’s going to be in Manila."

One of the reasons Guiao chooses to be upbeat about the national team's future is young buck and national team newcomer CJ Perez, who has tried his darnedest to keep in step with some of the most talented perimeter players on the planet.

"If there's any positive from our games, it's that our young guys have played hard," he shared. "CJ [Perez] has played his heart out, so that's something positive we can pick up. I had some inkling of it from what I've seen in Spain, and from what I've seen in our practices. I'm not really surprised. He has had to raise his level of play very quickly for this World Cup, so I think it's also still a bright spot for us. We haven’t seen his full potential yet. We'll see a lot more of CJ Perez."

The fuel for Perez has been his will to fight and how coach Yeng has placed his trust in the 6ft 2in (1.88m) 25-year-old. Those have served him well, buoying his spirits in the team's remaining assignments, their chances at still qualifying for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and even looking ahead to the World Cup in 2023.

"I just want to do the right thing all the time," Perez said. "I just try to give my effort. The trust of coach Yeng, I feel it. I give him the credit, and I will give it my all. In the future, as long as it's for the Philippine national team, you can count on me."

Like his young ward, Guiao chooses to stay above the negativity surrounding their setbacks.

"Of course to me, if you look at the criticisms, the negative comments, the bashers, I can understand that," Guiao explained. "But to me and the rest of the team, that's not going to help if you focus on those things. That's not going to help so why think of something that’s not going to help you anyway."

For him, the tournament isn't over yet. Their goal of qualifying for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics remains attainable, and so they will continue to play hard and play as one.

"There's still games to play, so I guess the thing to do now is regroup and focus on playing better in the next games, which I think are winnable games," Guiao said. "We go to Beijing with the mindset to improve our ranking. Whichever possibility is achievable, we will go for it. At least now, our boys are more comfortable playing at this stage."

Whatever the final results and placing are for the Philippines, coach Guiao already expects things will be interesting when they return to Manila. Still, he will face whatever questions are waiting for him and his team with conviction.

"When we get back to Manila, we don't need to answer to anything," he said. "I'm going to answer anyone who will question our performance here."

FIBA