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

Gilas Pilipinas ensured themselves the silver medal at the 2015 William Jones Cup on Sunday, knocking off Chinese Taipei White, 96-67.

Gary David paced the winners with 22 points, while Jayson Castro chipped in with 15 points and four assists and Moala Tautuaa added 12 points and nine rebounds. Chien Wei-Ju led the way for China White with 18 points. 

Gilas Pilipinas came into the game knowing a gold medal wasn't a possibility after Iran won on Saturday, finishing 7-1. Gilas still needed a win to finish 6-2 and clinch the silver medal, however. But a 50-32 advantage at the half all but assured Gilas the win against the winless China White and allowed the team to cycle through its bench.

The team's top player throughout the tournament, Terrence Romeo, didn't even play in Gilas' convincing win. It was a much-needed rest for the team's star, though also an indication of how tough this tournament has been for a struggling China White side.

It was the Gilas' first silver medal at the event, joining the four golds and three bronzes the team has already won at the William Jones Cup, per Jane Bracher of Rappler.com. Gilas last won gold at the event in 2012. 

Perhaps the team was inspired by NBA MVP Steph Curry before the game, who was in Manila on Saturday for a promotional tour for his Under Armour shoe.

"Go at it...don't hold anything back," Curry said, per JC Ansis of CNN Philippines, when asked what advice he would give Gilas. "It's an amazing opportunity that's in front of you. Whatever style you play with, if you're playing small ball, shooting a lot of threes, playing uptempo...embrace it."

Gilas will now begin preparations for FIBA Championships later this month. Despite a silver medal at the William Jones Cup, don't expect the team to be satisfied.

“They’re tired, most of them, but we have things to polish up, things we have to learn," head coach Tab Baldwin said of the team's busy schedule in September, per Musong R. Castillo of the Philippine Daily Inquirer. "We’re still nowhere near where we want to be."

They certainly took steps in the right direction at the William Jones Cup, however, with losses to only South Korea and a very good Iran team. Gilas will be a team to be reckoned with at the FIBA Championships.