GILAS PHILIPPINES VS IRAN
Date: Monday September 3, 2015
Time: 1:00 p.m. Philippine Time
Venue: Xinchuang Gymnasium in New Taipei City, Taiwan
When Gilas Pilipinas faces Iran on Wednesday, the result will have major implications for this year’s William Jones Cup as the tournament’s most important matchup to date.The Iranians, fresh off a surprising 81-66 loss to the United States, currently sit atop the event’s standings at 4-1, but three other teams have just one loss as well, including 3-1 Gilas Pilipinas.
Gilas Pilipinas' chances of winning the 2015 William Jones Cup took a major hit Thursday as they fell to first-place Iran 74-65 in Taiwan.
The Philippines entered the match with a record of 3-1, and a victory would have both vaulted it past Iran and tied it with Russia. Instead, Gilas fell to 3-2 by virtue of a monstrous effort from Iranian center Hamed Haddadi.
Iran rested Haddadi in a loss to the United States on Wednesday, and it showed, as the former Memphis Grizzlies and Phoenix Suns big man exploded for 22 points and 15 rebounds against a Filipino team that didn't have an answer in the paint.
The continued absence of former NBA standout Andray Blatche—who stayed in the United States to attend a funeral—may have been extremely costly to the Philippines' chances Thursday.
With that said, Filipino head coach Tab Baldwin isn't making any excuses for why his team fell short against a tough Iranian squad, according to Musong R. Castillo of Inquirer.net: