Gilas Pilipinas vs. Iran: Score and Reaction from 2015 William Jones Cup

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:

Even so, TJ Manotoc of ABS-CBN couldn't help but wonder how things might have been different if Blatche was available to Gilas:

Despite the fact the Philippines played Iran tougher than any team other than the United States, Baldwin didn't feel as though his players put their best foot forward in Thursday's pivotal contest, per Dodo Catacutan of Spin.ph: "We're still some ways to go as far as being a team is concerned. I thought we lost our discipline out there."

Baldwin's comment may have been in reference to the fact his team committed 27 personal fouls. Iran only made 54 percent of its free throws, but the 13 points Gilas gifted it ended up being the difference in the game.

The loss was a disappointing one for Gilas and their supporters as it may have dashed their hopes of winning the William Jones Cup for a fifth time, but it didn't stop the fans from showing their appreciation for the players, as seen in this video, courtesy of Castillo:

J.C. Intal and Jayson Castro put up 10 points each in a losing effort, but the Philippines' most impressive performer was 42-year-old center Asi Taulava, who led the team with 12 points and eight rebounds despite having to go up against Haddadi.

Taulava was able to hold his own for much of the game, but the younger, taller and more athletic Haddadi imposed his will in the latter stages as Iran improved to 5-1.

Gilas aren't entirely out of it as they could still technically win the tournament if they win out and get some help, but the odds are clearly stacked against them.

Iran showed why it has won the William Jones Cup in four of the past six years, and it firmly established itself as the favorite once again Thursday with an emphatic performance against a previously red-hot Philippines side.

Follow @MikeChiari on Twitter.