MANILA (2015 FIBA Asia Championship/2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament) - There is plenty of cause for pride and optimism for the many fans of the Philippines national basketball team.

For three consecutive years, Gilas Pilipinas have created unforgettable memories.

After a runners-up finish at the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship and an encouraging performance at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup, the Filipinos had their sights on Olympic qualification.

Last Saturday, a Philippines side led by Tab Baldwin came up just short of the aim, falling in the Final of the FIBA Asia Championship to hosts China, 78-67.

While Gilas did not get the automatic berth to Rio de Janeiro for the Summer Games in 2016, the team did gain a precious place in one of three FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments that will be staged next year.

The Philippines did not start the FIBA Asia Championship well, losing to tournament first-timers Palestine, 75-73, yet they rebounded, winning their next seven games before falling to the Chinese.

I think taken as a whole, the performance of this Gilas team, this version, has been outstanding. - Pangilinan

After admitting to InterAksyon.com that the squad had not been at its best in the title game, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) President Manuel V. Pangilinan stressed: "I'm personally grateful to the team and grateful to all of the people back home who prayed and supported this team throughout the tournament."

A look back at the games reveals plenty of effort from the Philippines players.

Whether it was Jayson Castro leading the way in the backcourt, captain Donaldo Hontiveros hitting three-pointers, Gabe Norwood defending tenaciously on the perimeter, Ranidel de Ocampo fighting for loose balls, Calvin Abueva crashing the boards or Terrence Romeo playing with flair and determination, the Filipinos gave everything.

The rest in the squad also showed real determination but ultimately came up against a very good Chinese team that went undefeated.

There was also no doubt about the solid job done by Tab Baldwin, the veteran coach who succeeded Chot Reyes at the helm.

"I thought it was excellent coaching throughout," Pangilinan said.

"He has managed to fuse the team. You could feel the camaraderie of the team, they feel well among themselves.

"That takes talent among the coaching staff.

"I know when they get back to their home teams in the PBA, they'll be competitors against each other.

"But I do hope they keep their good will amongst themselves moving forward because when they look back on this tournament and they recount their stories to their children and grandchildren, the players and the coaching staff could look back at this event very proudly and they should be able to recount it to their kids and grandkids with a great deal of pride."

FIBA