MANILA, Philippines (22nd FIBA Asia Champions Cup): As a coach, Brian Rowsom can’t have it better. The 45-year-old was given the reins of the Al Rayyan line-up only five weeks before this competition and in that short period achieved a medal.

“Well, things fell in place at certain times when we wanted. But at times it was horrible,” he said during an exclusive chat with this website after the Qatari kept their record of winning a medal on every appearance intact.

Excerpts

Highs and lows in the competition

Winning the bronze is an obvious high point for us in this competition, something in tangible terms.

But there were others too that don’t seem too obvious.

I thought the high was the way we played in our first three games. We began with two wins and then had the game against Riyadi in our hand before losing in Overtime. Those were real highs.

But the game against Riyadi in the latter part was a real low. Especially the way we let them off the hook. I think that led to our not playing the final.

Rayyan have a huge reputation in this competition, winning a medal every time they played. The team was aware of it.

Therefore winning the bronze has salvaged some pride.

Take us through the preparations

(Laughs) Very little.

The (Qatar) season ended only in the last week of April. And I was asked to take over the team two days before the GCC. But luckily enough I knew all the Rayyan players well. (Rowsom was the coach of Al Ahli team, which lost two finals including the League Finals to Rayyan in the QBF season).

And this is a great team that responds to the call of any coach.

I tried to continue what they had been doing, with my own adaptations. It was too short a time to do anything drastic.

I think this (bronze medal) is a tribute to the quality and character in this team.

I was always in awe of them (Rayyan) for that. Now, I am happy I’m on the same bench.

S Mageshwaran / FIBA Asia

Photo: Milad Payami / FIBA Asia