QAT - Experienced Musa receives plaudits from 'El Presidente'

MANILA (FIBA Asia Championship/FIBA Basketball World Cup) - As Qatar coach Tom Wisman walked to the press conference after his team's 71-68 win over Chinese Taipei, which opened the door for hosts the Philippines to claim first place in Group E, he was in a jovial mood.

"I think I could run for president of the Philippines right now. I might get a few votes," he quipped.

If he did, his campaign manager would have to be Yasseen Musa.

The 38-year-old veteran wound back the clock to compile the extraordinary stat-line of 20 points and 19 boards, almost single-handedly delivering his team the 49-34 rebounding edge that was the difference in a tense game.

"He's been the heart and soul of Qatar's team for quite some time," said Wisman.

"He's been playing for the Qatar national team for 20 years and he's still getting it done, still able to give us 35 quality minutes. You've got to respect that."

According to Musa, the entire Qatari team has great respect for Chinese Taipei, and he sees their strong performance as a good omen ahead of a Quarter-Final meeting with Korea.

"Chinese Taipei is one of the toughest teams in Asia over the last 10 years," he said.

"Korea are almost the same as Chinese Taipei, they are quick and can shoot well, so definitely winning tonight gives us a lot of confidence."

Wisman is also happy his team was able to play the game on their terms.

"That's the way we have to play against these quicker teams, we have to play a little bit slower," he said.

"We've got a very experienced team. I like to use that word instead of old!"

For Musa, what was a distant dream of qualifying for the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain is now only two games away, but he knows just how hard those two games will be.

"We're here to qualify for the Basketball World Cup," he said.

"Now we're in the final eight, we have to beat the great teams now…but we're going to play tough, you never know."

FIBA