MANILA (Enzo Flojo's Asia on My Mind) - Age is just a number, and that's exactly what some players are proving in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Asian Qualifiers.

The following are what I call "Oldies but Goodies." These are the guys who are not only on the wrong side of 30, but they're closer to 35 than they are to 30. On paper, these players should not be as effective as they currently are, but they are defying the odds and Father Time.

Here are the eight best 33-or-older guys in the Asian Qualifiers so far.

Samad Nikkhah Bahrami (Iran)

Age: 35
Not everyone who comes out of retirement can rediscover success, but that's exactly what Bahrami has done. Initially thought of as retired from international basketball after the FIBA Asia Cup 2015, the 35-year-old swingman continues to make a major impact for Iran. He is no longer as shifty and athletic as he once was, but he has modified his game to ensure that he can still be highly productive for Team Melli. He is currently averaging 14.4 points, 6.2 assists and 4.8 rebounds per game as Iran are 6-2 in the second round.

Zaid Abbas (Jordan)

Age: 34
The 6ft 8in (2.02m) combo forward remains such an integral part of the Jordanian national team's fortunes. He has played in only 4 Asian Qualifiers games, but in every single one he has scored in double-figures while also recording double-doubles twice and hitting more than two triples per contest. With Jordan dropping their first two games of the second round, there is a greater need for Abbas to continue carrying Al Nashama in the last two windows.

Mohd Yousuf Mohammed (Qatar)

Age: 36
At 36 years old, the big man nicknamed "Mo" is one of the oldest players still seeing action at the Asian Qualifiers, but what's wonderful about him is how he is still able to be quite productive for Al Annabi. He routinely goes up against younger, bigger and more athletic frontliners but he doesn't back down from any of them. In fact, Mo is able to hold his own and then some, currently averaging around 12 points and 5 rebounds per game.

Justin Dawkins (Syria)

Age: 33
Syria's naturalized player is such a high-scoring machine. He has scored 22 or more points in all but one game he has played in the Asian Qualifiers, and he just enhances Syria's perimeter scoring capabilities in a significant way. The 33-year-old wingman is big enough to defend opposing power forwards, but his skill-set is truly more suited for a wingman. He can hit the three, play great perimeter defense and can put the ball on the floor.

Alex Cabagnot (Philippines)

Age: 35
Its quite strange to put the 6ft 0in (1.83m) Cabagnot on this list. On one hand, being 35 years old makes him eligible as an Oldie, but it's weird that despite his age, he just debuted for the Philippines national team in the previous window. The veteran PBA player, though, did not disappoint. He had 9 points and 6 assists in a tough loss to Iran and then impressed even more with 16 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals in a comeback win over Qatar. We should see more of Cabagnot in the next two windows.

Nick Fazekas (Japan)

Age: 33
The 6ft 11in (2.11m) 33-year-old has seen action in only two Asian Qualifiers games so far, but man, the kind of difference he makes for Japan is massive. he adds much needed size to the Akatsuki Five, but even more than that, he gives them an incredibly dominant inside scoring option. That's something that they've never really had, and it adds a new dimension to a team long been known for their speed and shooting. He covers their biggest weakness and turns them into a strength.

Hamed Haddadi (Iran)

Age: 33
The Iranian behemoth was a non-factor in Iran's win over the Philippines in the previous window, but he should be ready for them when they return to action in the fifth window. That is, unless the rumors are true that perhaps he is contemplating retirement from international hoops. I for one, hope to see him in Iran's colors again. The 7ft 2in (2.18m) slotman continues to be one of Asia's best, so much so that opposing teams are forced to devise entire defensive schemes predicated to stop Haddadi.

Joji Takeuchi (Japan)

Age: 33
At 33 year of age, Takeuchi has seen his best days behind him, but that doesn't mean he can no longer make an impact for Japan. On the contrary, the 6ft 9in (2.07m) center/forward has embraced his role as the "wise old man" for the Akatsuki Five. More than his production, it's his leadership and experience that make him such an important part of the national team. That doesn't mean he doesn't get his numbers, though. He still gets some, averaging around 4 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and 1 block per game. There's more left in Takeuchi's tank, and Japan are better for it.

Enzo Flojo

FIBA

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