BEIRUT, Lebanon (23rd FIBA Asia Champions Cup): Energy Resources Falcons of Mongolia bowed out of the competition losing all their four games in the Prelim Round at the ongoing 23rd FIBA Asia Champions Cup, but coach Amarjargal Misha was far from disappointed with the results.

“We came here only for the experience and exposure. We were very clear on this from the day we started preparing for this event,” Misha said after the team lost to Iraq’s Duhok on Thursday, thus drawing a curtain on their engagements here.

“We know our position in a competition like this, where most of the teams have had some experience or the other. Two of them here are the best in Asia. They are the standard bearers as examples for club basketball in Asia. I am happy that our players held their own playing such against might opposition with confidence,” he added.

”Frankly speaking, playing at this level is an eye opener for entire Mongolian basketball. All of us involved in the game in Mongolia are dedicated and committed to improve the standards of basketball in Mongolia. I think our participation here and the experience we are taking back are a great step in that direction.

“In hindsight, we probably didn’t plan and prepare properly for this competition. But like I said, this is the first time we are exposed to this level. For sure, we will come back and come back much stronger.

“The same applies to the absence of import players in our team. We thought we will bring a young team to give them experience. But we have realized it was a mistake, again in hindsight. We surely could have made use of some import players helping us in our cause here. Like I said, we have learnt our lessons and realized our mistakes.

“The next time you see us here, you’ll see a much stronger team from Mongolia.”

S Mageshwaran / FIBA Asia

Photo: Milad Payami / FIBA Asia