SINGAPORE (2015 FIBA Asia Championship) - Neo Beng Siang is wearing a smile and also showing looks of determination as he prepares Singapore for the FIBA Asia Championship in Changsha, China.

Several weeks ago, this didn't seem possible after the country's disappointing third-place finish in the men's basketball tournament as the host nation of the SEA Games.

Neo said he would offer to step down as coach of the team but the head of the sport's governing body in the country, the Basketball Association of Singapore (BAS), did not believe change was necessary.

"Coach Neo has done well for Singapore," BAS President David Ong said to the local media.

"We should recognize that and embrace him."

I believe he's [Neo] got a few more years left in him to coach and contribute to the local basketball scene. - Ong

Backing from the highest official in the BAS softened the blow of the third-place finish for Neo.

Having earlier led Singapore to a third-place finish at the 2015 SEABA Championship to steer the country to qualification for the FIBA Asia Championship, he decided to stay in charge.

"Mr Ong's comments are good news for me," he said at the time.

"I was emotional and tired after the SEA Games so I said I wanted to leave, but I will definitely consider staying if they make an offer.

"At the same time, I do not want to be seen holding back other aspiring local coaches.

"This is a decision for BAS to make."

The BAS stayed with Neo, although his contract runs out in February and he may then elect to take a break from the national team and recharge the batteries.

Right now, his focus is on getting Singapore in as good a shape and rhythm as possible before things get underway in Changsha next month.

He is training the squad, although there is uncertainty about the availability of several players.

They are Desmond Oh, Russel Low, Lim Shengyu, Wong Wei Long, Larry Liew and Wu Qingde.

Oh is Singapore's captain and his wife is due to give birth in October.

All six players featured at the Sea Games.

In remarks to todayonline.com, Neo said: "It is definitely challenging heading into the Asia Championships with several key players missing, but it is a good test for some new faces too to have a run and pit themselves against the best regionally.

"I am unsure if they [these players] will continue playing basketball after that and for how long because of their other commitments, but they will have to work it out."

As for his own future come February 2016, Neo said: "For now, I want to concentrate on the FIBA Asia Championship.

"It has been a long time [as a coach], and I have missed out on a lot with my wife and three daughters. I may want to get away from basketball for some time, and who knows, I may come back with a fresher mind, and ready to face a new challenge again."

 The players that Neo does have in his Singapore squad will play in Group C at the FIBA Asia Championship against Korea, China and Jordan.

The tournament tips off 23 September and runs until 3 October.

FIBA