The Smart Gilas Pilipinas team was touted as the weakest team entering the 2014 FIBA World Cup. But after three games, including a thrilling overtime loss against a 16^th ranked Croatian team and only a four-point loss against 3^rd ranked Argentinian team, the world can't help but notice how big the heart of this team is.

Even Argentina's coach Julio Lamas admitted how difficult it was playing against them:

"The Philippines plays a very strange style of basketball we've never seen," admitted Lamas after the world's third-ranked team survived the scare of its life, 85-81, against a squad ranked 31 rungs below it in the world rankings. "But they play to their full potential."

"They made us look like fools in the first quarter," Lamas admitted later before a horde of journalists inside the press center.

"This is the most uncomfortable game I had to coach in my life," he said.

On the losing end, Blatche tallied 14 points and 15 rebounds, but some hot shooting from Jimmy Alapag made for a thrilling conclusion. Alapag finished with 15, all from behind the arc. But De Ocampo led the way with 18 points, contributing four triples of his own.

Even ESPN anchor and NBA play-by-play man Mark Jones can't help but admire the team's "puso"-inspired brand of basketball.

This team has nowhere to go but up. They have proven that they belong in this kind of competition and expect this team to come back stronger in future competitions.

The Philippines should be proud and heartened by a gritty performance and some impressive three-point shooting heading in the final games against Puerto Rico and Senegal.

Argentina faces Senegal on Wednesday before wrapping up Group B play with Greece on Thursday.

For those who missed the Argentina game, see the game highlights below:

What do you think readers? Will Smart Gilas Pilipinas make it to the round of 16? What improvements should they make to go deeper in future international tournaments? Sound off in the comments section below!