ALLAN THE MAN

The 2015 William Jones Cup, a top-level international basketball tournament of FIBA Asia. The tournament will be held in Taiwan from 29 August–6 September 2015. Competing Teams: Iran, Japan, South Korea, Philippines (Gilas Pilipinas), Chinese Taipei-A, Chinese Taipei-B, Russia (Spartak Primorye), New Zealand (Wellington Saints) & USA (USA Select-Overtake)

The Philippine national team defeated a selection from the United States, 78-74, but not before a late scare for coach Tab Baldwin and company on Saturday in Taiwan. (READ: Gilas Pilipinas defeats USA, moves 1 win away from Jones Cup silver )

Gilas Pilipinas led by as much as 18 points in the third period, but allowed the Americans to come roaring back in the final period. Led by former PBA imports Marquin Chandler and Calvin Warner, the US squad whittled down the deficit all the way down to just three points, 74-71, with 31 seconds left.

The Gilas Pilipinas, Philippine national men’s basketball team, despite playing without a natural point guard, denied a late comeback by USA-Select Overtake, 78-74, to move within reach of the silver medal in the 37th William Jones Cup Saturday at the Xinzhuang Gymnasium in New Taipei City, Taiwan.

With the win, the Filipinos (5-2) only need to do the job against the still-winless Chinese Taipei B on Sunday to cop their first silver medal in tournament history. Iran already secured the gold after finishing with the best record (7-1).

The Gilas Pilipinas seeks to duplicate a rousing performance in its last outing as it takes on USA-Select Overtake in the 37th William Jones Cup Saturday at the Xinzhuang Gymnasium in New Taipei City, Taiwan.

Gilas Pilipinas and the Americans tussle at 5 p.m. live on TV5. (Check this page for Jones Cup schedules and standings.)

Gilas Pilipinas’ Terrence Romeo has become such a hit in Taiwan because of his killer cross overs and ability to score almost at will at the ongoing William Jones Cup.

But aside from his impressive basketball skills, Taiwanese fans are fond of the 23-year-old playmaker because of his close resemblance to their very own celebrity, “Taiwan Catfish.”

The 2015 William Jones Cup, a top-level international basketball tournament of FIBA Asia. The tournament will be held in Taiwan from 29 August–6 September 2015. Competing Teams: Iran, Japan, South Korea, Philippines (Gilas Pilipinas), Chinese Taipei-A, Chinese Taipei-B, Russia (Spartak Primorye), New Zealand (Wellington Saints) & USA (USA Select-Overtake)

The Los Angeles Lakers remained firm on obliging Filipino-American guard Jordan Clarkson to return to the NBA team in the middle of his possible stint with the Philippine national men’s basketball team in the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship.

The Lakers have already given the green light to Clarkson for his Gilas Pilipinas stint as long as he would be back in the United States on September 28, which is right at the smack of the Olympic qualifier.