Coach Brian Goorjian of the Bay Area could not help but feel vindicated despite his disappointment with the outcome of Game 7 since he believes that exposing young athletes to international competition only brings out the best in them.

The current Australia Boomers mentor claimed that the man’s belief that one requires foreign competition is the main reason why he departed Australia. This entire region, including the Philippines, needs it. By competing against teams like these, Gilas, these individuals, and the players on these teams will all improve, as will the region as a whole, shared Goorjian.

In the best-of-seven championship series of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, Bay Area pushed Ginebra to the edge before losing, 114-99, in the last game on Sunday inside the enormous Philippine Arena.

Despite having to settle for second place, the Dragons already created history by becoming the PBA’s fourth guest team to advance to the championship round.

Goorjian continues to view this run as a success for his team’s development as well as the attention it generated, as evidenced by the record-breaking 54, 589 spectators that came to watch and established the record for the highest crowd in league history.

He has never witnessed or participated anything like it, and it is an amazing experience. Right now, there is disappointment and he would have loved to put up a better performance for the crowd, but it is what it is and, as he said, they will lick their wounds and fight back.

The Hong Kong-based team’s test of strength against the top Philippine clubs as part of their preparation for the forthcoming East Asia Super League (EASL) season is actually what matters most.

Goorjian claimed that he believed both the team and the individual players gained a great deal from the experience. The younger members of the team have never encountered something like this, and their struggle against Ginebra and the best Filipino teams has been in the mental and physical aspects of the game.

Goorjian is also hoping that this won’t be the last opportunity for the Bay Area, or any other foreign visitor team for that matter, to play in the PBA.

Not only does it spice up what is currently being offered, but it also raises players’ levels of play, which will ultimately help the national team, according to him.