MANILA, Philippines—The Philippines staved off a furious rally by Chinese Taipei, 76-72, Saturday night in the 34th William Jones Cup at the Taipei Physical Education College gym in Taipei.
Gary David knocked down a dagger of a trey that gave the Philippines a 76-70 cushion with 40.6 ticks left.
The Nationals battle USA Sunday for the championship.
LA Tenorio, the Alaska Aces star playmaker, also came up big. He hit three triples in one stretch that helped the Philippines build a 69-60 lead.
But Chinese Taipei fought back pulled to within, 67-69, with still 3:10 left.
Tenorio though, answered back with a jumper that pushed PH ahead, 73-68, near the final minute before David’s cold-blooded trey sealed the Gilas Pilipinas’ sixth win in seven stints.