Gilas Pilipinas beats USA at Jones Cup, secures 5th win

Gilas Pilipinas vs. USA Select-Overtake (Screengrab from Sports 5)

MANILA – Gilas Pilipinas won their 5th game from defeating the USA Select-Overtake, with 78-74, at the 37th William Jones Cup held in Taipei, Taiwan yesterday.

Gilas almost lost the lead when the Americans, with former PBA imports Marquin Chandler, Jameel Watkins and Calvin Warner, closed the score deficit to just three points in the final period.

But with 31 seconds left in the game, Ranidel De Ocampo secured the Philippines’ win with an offensive rebound.

Calvin Abueva finished with 20 points, while Gary David and Sonny Thoss scored 13 points each. De Ocampo, Asi Taulava, and Dondon Hontiveros also contributed 7 points each.

Gilas now has a standing of 5-2, with its final game today against Chinese-Taipei B team.

After Iran got the Jones Cup title from beating Russia earlier today, another win for the Philippines would secure them a silver medal.