MANILA -- Basketball coach Yeng Guiao maintained high hopes for RP squad’s good showing in the FIBA-Asia World qualifier in Tianjin, China, despite the team’s dismal performance in the recently concluded W. Jones Cup in Taipei.

Guiao said he hopes the team can improve from the country’s 9th-place finish during its last foray to the FIBA-Asia Championship in Tokushima, Japan.

“‘Pag pumasok tayo sa quarters, that’s an improvement of our 9th place finish from Tokushima,” the Nationals coach said during Tuesday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association forum at Shakey’s UN Avenue Branch.

Guiao even said that if they play their cards right, they could even finish third in Tianjin.

“Ang tingin ko it’s possible, but kailangan talaga magtugma-tugma talaga ang mga events. Palagay ko ang grouping natin is already an advantage... pero kelangan natin ng dasal,” he said.

The Powerade Team-Pilipinas is bracketed with Japan, Korea and Sri Lanka in Group A.

Guiao added that the Nationals will also have to contend with some of the teams in Group B, which is composed of Iran, Uzbekistan, Chinese Taipei and Kuwait.

A top 4 placing at this point, said Guiao, is enough for RP team to advance into the quarterfinals.

“Pero pagdating mo sa quarters, dIyan ang madugo. You can not escape playing the Mid East teams now,” he said.

The Jones Cup tournament has shown that Middle Eastern countries have turned themselves into powerhouses that could threaten China in the Asian front.

The RP squad placed sixth in the tournament with only 2 wins against 6 losses.

Guiao said the Jones Cup has showed what the Nationals would need to improve if for a decent showing in Tianjin.

“We need to get into better shape. This does not mean that we’re not in shape in Jones Cup, but we need netter conditioning. We also need to improve the three-point shooting,” he said.